Zimbabwe Launches US.Backed Digital Database to Preserve Cultural Heritage

Posted by admin on 2024-12-06 13:18:41 |

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By Mkhokheli Zibengwa 

THE United States Embassy in Zimbabwe and the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) have marked a significant achievement in cultural preservation with the launch of a cloud-based database for managing and sharing at-risk collections at the Museum of Human Sciences.

The initiative, funded by the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), aims to revolutionize how Zimbabweans and the global community access and engage with the museum’s extensive collection of cultural artifacts.

“This collection management system will allow Zimbabweans and the global community to access, research, and better understand the museum’s significant and unique cultural artifacts,” said U.S. Ambassador Pamela Tremont during the commissioning ceremony.

The project, awarded $75,000 in 2020, involved the development of a web-based database to document and safeguard thousands of cultural items. This transition from manual cataloging to a digital format significantly enhances the museum’s operations by reducing the risk of theft, improving accessibility, and fostering greater interaction among scholars, students, and the public.

A key aspect of the project was the collaboration between Zimbabwean and American experts. The Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences worked with the Fowler Museum at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Harare Institute of Technology to create a user-friendly database adhering to international standards for research and inter-museum loans.

For nearly 25 years, the AFCP has been dedicated to preserving cultural heritage worldwide. In Zimbabwe, the partnership has flourished since 2007, with the U.S. contributing $950,000 to heritage projects. Of this amount, $846,000 has directly supported initiatives with NMMZ, highlighting the robust collaboration between the two nations.

The database marks a transformative step in safeguarding Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage, ensuring it remains accessible to future generations while fostering a global appreciation for the country’s rich history.

This project not only protects cultural artifacts but also reinforces the vital role of international partnerships in preserving shared histories.