Decoloniality, national identity and military museums in Zimbabwe

What is it about?

The article examines the role of the Zimbabwe Military Museum (ZMM) in creating and portraying Zimbabwe's national identity in the post-colonial era. It argues that, despite independence, the museum continues to reflect colonial perspectives through its collections, exhibitions, themes, and interpretation, limiting its ability to represent Zimbabwean heritage and identity. The researchers used a qualitative approach, collecting data through interviews, focus group discussions, and desktop research. Participants included museum staff, members of the Zimbabwe National Army, Police, Air Force, war veterans, teachers, students, and members of the public. The findings showed that while museum curators believed the museum had made progress by including liberation struggle figures and African artefacts, most other participants felt that colonial narratives still dominated the exhibitions. The study highlights that many displays focus on colonial military equipment, such as rifles, armoured vehicles, and Rhodesian history, while African contributions receive limited interpretation and are often presented only in English. Temporary exhibitions also continue to emphasize colonial military history rather than themes that promote Zimbabwean national identity. The literature review explains that many African museums were established during colonial rule, when colonial governments controlled what was collected and displayed. These museums often promoted European superiority while marginalizing African cultures. Although Zimbabwe gained independence, many museum practices have changed very little, leaving colonial ideologies embedded in exhibitions. The researchers found that different groups held varying opinions. Museum curators believed that the inclusion of liberation heroes such as Mbuya Nehanda, Sekuru Kaguvi, and Mkwati demonstrated national identity. However, war veterans, uniformed forces, teachers, students, and the general public argued that these additions were insufficient because colonial collections still dominate the museum. Many visitors viewed the museum as a place to see weapons rather than to learn about Zimbabwean identity and history. The study concludes that museums have an important responsibility to build national identity by collecting, interpreting, and displaying objects that reflect the country's diverse heritage. The Zimbabwe Military Museum has not fully achieved this goal because colonial influences remain strong. If these issues are not addressed, public interest and engagement with the museum are likely to continue declining. The authors recommend that the museum: Balance colonial and African historical narratives in its exhibitions. Increase the collection and display of African artefacts and liberation history. Improve interpretation by providing more information on African collections and using accessible languages. Involve communities and stakeholders in developing exhibitions. Secure additional funding to update exhibitions and support programs that promote Zimbabwean national identity. Overall, the study argues that the Zimbabwe Military Museum should undergo further decolonization so that it better reflects Zimbabwe's history, culture, and identity, making it more relevant and meaningful to contemporary audiences.

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Photo by Akshat Jhingran on Unsplash

Photo by Akshat Jhingran on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Although Zimbabwe gained independence decades ago, the study found that many of the museum's exhibitions, collections, themes, and interpretations continue to reflect colonial perspectives rather than representing Zimbabwean history and heritage from an African viewpoint. The study is significant because it: 1. Evaluates the museum's contribution to nation-building by assessing how its exhibitions shape visitors' understanding of Zimbabwe's identity, history, and cultural heritage. 2. Identifies colonial bias in the museum's collections, interpretation, and exhibition practices, highlighting areas where colonial ideologies continue to influence public history. 3. Provides recommendations for decolonising museum exhibitions, including balancing representations of African and colonial histories, improving interpretation of African collections, and using languages that are accessible to a wider audience. 4. Guides policy and practice for the Zimbabwe Military Museum and other state museums by offering evidence-based recommendations on how exhibitions can better reflect Zimbabwe's cultural heritage and national identity. 5. Improves public engagement by identifying what visitors and stakeholders expect from museums, helping museums develop exhibitions that are more relevant, inclusive, and meaningful to Zimbabwean communities. 6. Contributes to academic knowledge on museums, heritage, and national identity by adding to discussions on the role of museums in post-colonial African societies and the need to transform colonial institutions. 7. Supports cultural preservation by encouraging museums to collect, preserve, and interpret African historical objects and narratives that strengthen national pride, cultural identity, and a sense of belonging. Finally, this research is important because it evaluates the extent to which the Zimbabwe Military Museum contributes to the creation and portrayal of national identity in the post-colonial period. By identifying the persistence of colonial ideologies in the museum's exhibitions, collections, themes, and interpretation, demonstrating the need for decolonised museum practices that better represent Zimbabwean history and culture. Its findings provide practical recommendations for improving museum policies, exhibition design, and public engagement while contributing to broader debates on heritage management, cultural preservation, and nation-building in post-colonial Zimbabwe.

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