Custódia tradicional do patrimônio arqueológico na província de Manica: experiências e práticas sobre as pinturas rupestres no distrito de Manica, 1943-2005

Abstract

Despite the recognized archaeological and cultural value attributed to the rock paintings stations in Mozambique, they have been struggling with several problems created by nature and man, making undeniable the need to adopt effective strategies for the management of this archaeological heritage. In the present essay, the way rock paintings in Manica district have been traditionally managed by local communities is analysed, in the period between 1943 and 2005. The reflection on the traditional custody of the rock paintings in Manica district is based on the analysis of three aspects that characterise the way of life of the local communities, namely: the meaning of the natural landscape for the local communities and its relation with the world of ancestral spirits; the social practices (rites) linked to the agricultural activity and the role of the traditional authority in the management of cultural resources. It is argued that the traditional custodianship of the stations with rock paintings, in Mounts Chinhamapere and Guindingue, is based on a broad and complex system of beliefs, rites and customary laws which, impose on the living communities respect for nature, but above all for the ancestral spirits regarded as the legitimate owners of the land and resources. In turn, the inclusion of traditional systems in modern cultural heritage management strategies makes it possible to reverse the 'traditional' tendency to conceive management strategies from the top down and to take as a basis the knowledge and practices of local communities (for discussion see Macamo 2005a). It is possible to devise a management plan for rock paintings that integrates elements of the traditional management system already in place in communities; to develop a joint management strategy (co-management), where knowledge of traditional and modern management techniques merge.