Intangible culture heritage key to strengthening Zambia’s identity

Tourism and Arts Minister Charles Banda has noted the importance of maintaining culture in the promotion of national identity and the development of the country.

The minister says culture and particularly intangible culture heritage helps to strengthen the independence, sovereignty and identity of the Zambian people.

Speaking when he officiated at a stakeholders’ workshop for the UNZA-UNESCO intangible cultural heritage degree program in Lusaka, Mr. Banda says countries across the world hold festivals to promote the intangible cultural heritages that define them.

He says intangible cultural heritage unites the people and builds the nation.

Mr Banda is however, concerned that the country does not yet have a formal training in the field of cultural heritage at higher education levels.

He is therefore happy with the introduction of a Bachelor of Arts degree in intangible cultural heritage at the University of Zambia, describing it as a significant milestone that will offer cultural heritage related programmes at tertiary level and at the same time directly have a positive impact on the cultural sector in Zambia.

Mr. Banda has since commended UNESCO working with UNZA for the over 335,000 United States dollars grant that will see the intangible cultural heritage degree program being offered at UNZA and which will see up to 20 cultural officers receive a 3-year academic sponsorship.

And Institute of Economic and Social Research (INESOR) acting Director, Dr Richard Simbaya has commended government for supporting the offering of the degree in Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Meanwhile University of Zambia Institute of Economic and Social Research Fellow Munukayumbwa Munyima says the degree program in intangible cultural heritage will commence in February 2019.