Identifying and recording three of the important heritage sites pertaining to the history of the black people in the Free State
Loading...
Date
1997-10
Authors
Twala, Chitja M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
This project is aimed at identifying historical places of
interest concerning black history. A similar project has
been done before by Tshidiso Ratithlare. This shows that
black history has been ignored for a very long time. This
has brought about a lack of self-identification and
confidence in black people and also implanted an
inferiority complex towards their own history.
The identification and preservation of the heritage sites
is an emotional issue which can either rally or divide
people. The story of site tells, can be one person's dre.am
and another's nightmare. South Africa is a particularly
fragmented society, and many people clutch onto the safety
and familiarity of the exclusive and divisive symbols at
hand. Sites themselves seek to include group members in a
shared understanding of culture and heritage.
Becoming a more democratic society means, inter alia, finding new heritage sites that reflect and reinforce this new identity. However, heritage sites should not be
allowed to become a political football and arouse conflict,
and great circumspection should be exercised with the
choice of heritage sites. The sites discussed in this dissertation are not only of
interest or importance to blacks, but also to the entire
population of South Africa, particularly of the Free State
province. In the Free State province there is a wealth of
historical resources still to be tapped. History as a
discipline must proceed alongside adjacent disciplines such
as archaeology, ethnology, geography, anthropology and the
Expertise of the National Monuments Council and National
Museums must be utilized.
Description
Keywords
Black people -- South Africa -- Free State -- History, Historic sites -- South Africa -- Free State -- History, Cultural property -- South Africa -- Free State, Dissertation (B.A.Honns. (History))--University of the Free State, 1997