Investigating partnership between local and institutional communities for the preventive conservation of cultural heritage in East Africa

This study explores partnership models between local and institutional communities practicing preventive conservation, for movable cultural heritage in East Africa. Institutional and local approaches to preventive conservation are analysed and the principles and practices developed in the fields of moveable, immovable and natural heritage are compared. The challenges posed by the intangible attributes of cultural heritage are also considered, as are the characteristics of local values and practices. Particular attention is paid to the vulnerability of local and traditional practices in the face of standardised conservation principles. The data collected in the analysis of local and institutional contexts is discussed in relation to two questions: (i) What are the historical, cultural and social issues that shape the development of partnerships between local and institutional communities? ii) What are the necessary requirements for establishing principles and practices pertinent to the preventive conservation of tangible and intangible heritage and which are relevant to both communities? The research methodology included a review and analysis of the publications of international heritage organisations, interviews with the staff of selected heritage organisations and local community representatives, the author’s observations during fieldwork undertaken in Kenya and in Ethiopia between 2002 and 2005, and the analysis of three case studies of the conservation of movable, immovable and natural heritage (Ankober, Ethiopia; Thimlich Ohinga, Kenya; the Sacred Forests of coastal Kenya). The analysis of these case studies identifies the various stakeholders involved in the conservation of cultural heritage, and explores their motivations, practices and arenas of interaction. The underlining thesis of this research is that building partnerships between relevant authorities and resource users provides common ground on which to preserve cultural heritage through the practice of preventive conservation.