-
Author
-
Chikandamina, Thelma R
-
Title
-
Object, provenance and biography: an evaluation of the ethnographic collection management system of the Mkwati walking stick at the Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences.
-
Abstract
-
This dissertation offers a comprehensive evaluation of the ethnographic collection management system of the Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences, using the Mkwati Walking stick as a central case study. This study draws on interdisciplinary frameworks, particularly object biography, provenance research, and post-colonial museology to interrogate how significant cultural artefact is handled, recorded, interpreted, and displayed within the museum’s institutional practices. The Mkwati walking stick holds deep historical and symbolic relevance in Zimbabwean heritage being closely associated with spiritual leadership, anti-colonial resistance and national identity. As such, it serves as an ideal object through which to explore the layered meanings, ownership histories and representational challenges that come with managing ethnographic collections in post-colonial contexts. By tracing the object’s provenance and evolving significance, the research highlights the shifting values ascribed to overtime, both indigenous communities and the museum space. The methodological approach combines qualitative data collection including curatorial interviews, archival research and exhibition analysis with theoretical insights into the life cycle of museum objects. Through this approach, the study assesses the strengths and shortcomings of the museum’s existing documentation systems, conservation policies and public engagement strategies. It finds that while there are commendable efforts to preserve and display artefacts like the Mkwati Walking stick, current practices often fall short in addressing issues of cultural sensitivity, provenance accuracy, and community inclusion. Furthermore, the research underscores the importance of rethinking collection management systems to reflect more inclusive, participatory, and contextually grounded practices. It proposes that integrating indigenous knowledge systems, digital cataloguing tools and collaborative curatorial models can enhance the ethical stewardship and interpretive richness of ethnographic collections. Ultimately, this dissertation contributes to ongoing debates about decolonizing museum practices in Africa and advocates for a more dialogic and historically conscious approach to object care and representation.
-
Date
-
October 2025
-
Publisher
-
BUSE
-
Keywords
-
ethnographic, Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences, Mkwati Walking stick
-
Supervisor
-
Mrs Zimucha-Sagiya
