Preserving Zambia’s Traditional Dance

Background

The Livingstone Museum holds four major educational programs on Intangible Heritage through the department of Ethnography and Art. Victoria Phiri, Curator of Ethnography and Art is the leader of these programs. Victoria holds a Master of Philosophy degree in Indigenous Studies and has been working for the Livingstone Museum for 15 years. She leads a team of 8 multidisciplinary members of the museum’s staff: Mr. Mungoni Sitali, Senior Curator of Ethnography and Art; Ms. Mambo Bwanjelela, Assistant Education Officer; Ms. Clare Mateke, Curator of Mammalogy; Ms. Perrice Nkombwe, Assistant curator of Archaeology; Mr. Terry Nyambe, Assistant Curator of Ichthyology; Mr. Fred Nyambe, Registrar of Collections; Mr. Chanda, Accountant; Mr. Fidelity Phiri, Audio Visual specialist.

About the Project

The Livingstone Museum has held an annual competition in traditional dances, poetry and music for schools in and around its province for the last 20 years. This competition is part of 4 of the museum’s educational programs for intangible heritage, providing youths with a place to learn more about their heritage through skilled instructions and performances. In recent years, this annual competition has focused on the more of the lesser known traditional dances that are in danger of disappearing. The annual competition has grown considerably since 1990 to include more schools in neighboring provinces and their communities. The museum needs your support to serve their growing audience and school participation.

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Donations needed

• Recording equipment
• Funds for program participation – $3,000

About the Project’s Needs

In order to preserve intangible heritage for research and future generations, the museum collects audio/visual formats of traditional dances, poetry, music, as well as the performances of their annual competitions. Modern and efficient recording equipment is needed to produce quality recordings indoors and outdoors.

The museum is also seeking donations to support their intangible heritage educational programs for traditional dance, poetry and music. Funds will help transport students to the museum to participate in programs, especially those from other districts, and to support community experts in teaching the students.