https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/7 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:16:08 GMT 2026-04-10T12:16:08Z https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/2813 Title: Representation of minority languages and indigenous cultures in Zimbabwean museums: paper presented at the international conference at the West Indies university 2-5 Aug 2012 Authors: Muringa, Tendai Fortune Abstract: In such countries as Zimbabwe there are diverse languages through which people disseminate and express their unique identities and cultures. English stands as the official language, Shona and Ndebele are national languages whilst such languages as Kalanga, Venda and Tonga are regarded as ‘small’ or minority languages. Language regardless of its status, it carries the culture of a people and as such it is the vehicle to transmit skills, ideas, values and symbols that are peculiar to each indigenous community. The interconnectedness of culture to language entails that attention is accorded to small languages especially by museums which are storehouses of Zimbabwe’s traditional and contemporary culture. It is unfortunate that such national institutions, through their exhibitions and education programmes, tend to have prime focus on English language and in some cases Shona and Ndebele languages. Minority languages are included in exhibitions mainly to name the object and not to elaborate on the cultural context which lead to creation of such symbols. Captions with brief description of objects are given in a foreign language meaning that national institutions, with a mandate to safeguard indigenous cultures in Zimbabwe, are the ones plucking out certain components of a people culture and presenting them to the public in a different language. Therefore, what does this mean in relation to representation and development of minority languages and cultures in Zimbabwe? This paper seeks to reveal the underlying significance of minority languages and cultures in the integral vision of National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe and critically analyse effects of excluding such groups which form part of the national identity. Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/2813 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z Muringa, Tendai Fortune https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/2812 Title: The imperative for cultural sustainability: reflections on the donor agenda and conditionalities in Zimbabwe: paper presented at the International conference on Arts and Sustainable development at Tshwane university of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa on the 27-29 June 2006 Authors: Mpofu, Phillip; Pfukwa, Charles Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/2812 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z Mpofu, Phillip Pfukwa, Charles https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/2811 Title: Africa has to follow the example of Asian countries by promoting indigenous and not foreign languages to languages of education and development; a possibility or a form of self-delusion?: paper presented at the Department of English 6th international conference June 2011 Authors: Charamba, Tyanai Abstract: Some scholars of African descent, who include Mazrui (1978, 2000), Chimhundu [2002), Mutasa (2006) and Magwa and Mutasa (2007), admire, Japan, China and the Asian tigers in general for using indigenous Asian and not foreign languages in Asian education and programmes of development. The same scholars blame African counties for resorting to the use of foreign and not indigenous African languages in African education and programmes of development. This paper argues that scholars need to ask and answer certain specific questions before they blame African countries for not taking the Asian countries' way in the area of language choice and practice. The questions Include: 1) what really helped and still help Asian countries to enforce the use of indigenous Asian languages in their programmes of education and development? 2) Which politico-economic and socio-cultural factors hinder African countries from promoting indigenous African languages to languages of African education and programmes of development as what is the case in Asian countries? 3) Is it fair to blame African countries for not following the example of Asian countries In the area of language choice and practice given that the economic histories of African and of Asian countries are totally different? This paper interrogates scholars' positions and opinions when they blame Africa for not following the example of Asian countries, who have promoted indigenous Asian languages to language of education and development without first of all going deep into the politico-economic histories of the Asian and African countries. Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/2811 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z Charamba, Tyanai https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/1501 Title: “Language Planning in Zimbabwe; the Conservation and Management of Indigenous Languages in Zimbabwe”. Paper presented at ICOMOS 14th General Assembly and Scientific Symposium at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe on the 30th of October 2003. Authors: Viriri, Advice Abstract: It is necessary to promote and enhance African languages as intangible cultural heritage. This heritage needs conservation and management in the form of language planning and policy making that would contribute towards the restoration of the indigenous speakers’ humanity, identity and culture. Our indigenous languages seek to focus on African philosophy, aesthetics, art, performing arts, politics, sociology, sport and other subjects. These languages would explore ways in which the forms of African cultural life and expression will help to shape, inform and influence cultures and intellectual traditions across the globe. It is necessary to transcend colonial alienation as “part and parcel of the anti-imperialist struggles of [Zimbabweans] and African peoples” whose indigenous languages “were associated with negative qualities of backwardness, underdevelopment, humiliation and punishment.” (Ngugi, 1981:28). This paper will testify the superiority of our indigenous languages to English. The researcher believes in the maxim “free your mind”: the mind must be liberated even from the confines of biased Afro-centric thought. These languages will convey the profound need for the Zimbabwean people to be re-located historically, economically, socially, linguistically, politically, and philosophically. For a number of years, Africans have been devoid of their cultural, economic, religious, political and social heritage. They have been living on the periphery of Europe. It is this “illusion of the fringes” that this paper seeks to eliminate and restore “the African person as an agent in human history…” (Asante, 2003:1)This will answer questions on how African cultural and intellectual traditions radically and indelibly shape the world. In demanding to know the total system of truth about the world, the first step is to know the reality of our own existence through our indigenous languages. Wed, 01 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/1501 2003-01-01T00:00:00Z Viriri, Advice