Theorizing the Gaze in Cultural Tourism: Critical Reflections on the Commodification of Dance Heritage in the Shona Village at Great Zimbabwe Monuments

The commodification of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in tourism, particularly through the performance of indigenous dances at Great Zimbabwe's Shona Village, reveals a complex interplay between cultural entrepreneurship and economic sustainability for local communities. While this practice sustains livelihoods for cultural custodians, it also perpetuates assumptions about 'staged authenticity' and the exploitation of cultural workers by tourists. The study critically examines these dynamics, highlighting how Karanga cultural custodians use performances to reclaim their authentic heritage and contest European cultural imperialism. It reaffirms academic perspectives on commoditization while offering new insights into the perceptions and strategies of indigenous communities in preserving and asserting their cultural identity.

(Ed.). (2022). Theorizing the Gaze in Cultural Tourism: Critical Reflections on the Commodification of Dance Heritage in the Shona Village at Great Zimbabwe Monuments. Journal of African Cultural Heritage Studies, 3(1). CLOCKSS. https://doi.org/10.22599/jachs.88