Transformation in Heritage Management: The Case of Gedi Historical Site, 1927- 2013
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Date
2025-06
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Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
This thesis examines the transformation in heritage management using Gedi ruins as a case study. Gedi historical site is an important site of archaeological research and a tourist attraction center. Despite this central role, there has been little discussion or exploration of the actual needs of local people or the development of the existing participation process into a Cultural Heritage Management (CHM) framework at the Gedi Site. Therefore, this study sought to achieve three objectives: to examine the cultural significance of the Gedi heritage site to the community, to investigate the management of the Gedi historical site from 1927 to 1962, and to evaluate the extent to which the community was involved in the management of the Gedi historical site from independence to 2013. Data for this study was gathered from both primary and secondary sources. Field research involved self-administered questionnaires and oral interviews. The target population was selected using purposive and snowball sampling. An intensive survey was conducted of the entire forty-five-acre site with the assistance of museum staff. The condition of the site was assessed to ascertain threats. Observation of the ruins and the biodiversity was thoroughly surveyed to assess different forms of threats to the historical site. This study was guided by two theories, thus the Conflict Theory and The Tragedy of the Commons Theory. The findings revealed that the site contains several archaeological remains of medieval period dating back to the 12th Century. There is much the historical site of Gedi can teach us about African history. Gedi not only bears witness to a glorious African past but also reminds us about the important interaction spheres that developed in antiquity, which involved technology transfers and immigration that have become so common place today. The town’s superstructure preserves a capsule in time of what was the precolonial urban landscape in Eastern Africa. The study also established that the upstanding built-structures, mainly stone walls, are deteriorating rapidly due to vagaries of tropical climate and the growth of vegetation. Local communities contribute significantly to the destruction and loss of archaeological materials and historical sites. The research further reveals that Gedi communities feel that although they are involved in the site's tasks, the administrators have failed to diligently involve them in the site conservation, specifically in making their own choices. This has created a rift between the communities and state officials involved in resource management, and is by extension responsible for the destruction and loss of archaeological materials. There is also mistrust between the management of the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) in the region and the community at the Gedi site. Therefore, the study recommends that NMK should devise ways of incorporating the communities in the routine management of the site and future project development. This is because to get community support in the course of protection and preservation of cultural sites, there should be a clear involvement of the communities and a shared understanding of their benefits.
Description
A Thesis Submitted to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of a Master of Arts Degree in History of Kenyatta University.
Supervisor
1.Washington Ndiiri
2. Susan Mwangi