Heritage Politics and its Implications on Heritage Tourism the Case of Emperor Minilik II Monument and Red Terror Museum
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2021-02
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Heritage can be understood as an important political and cultural tool as well as empowering
discourse in defining and legitimizing the identity, experiences and social / cultural position of a
society. In Ethiopia also in three consecutive regimes different statues were erected to represent
the political system of the time. On the other hand it is important to recognize Heritage tourism
as the world’s most important segment of tourism with multi billion dollars revenue. As far as
the type of research is concerned, this study employed a qualitative research approach and used
a combination of descriptive and explanatory inquiries. Research findings based on data from
both primary and secondary sources of information are presented under sections and
subsections reflecting the thematic analysis of the data. As to respondents, in different regimes
and different political ideologies, heritages will have different interpretations. Following that
politics can have both positive and negative relation with heritages as politicians will favor and
take a good care of those heritages that can add value for their political ideologies and disfavor
those which are against their ideologies. This is because in the long history of multi-ethnic
Ethiopia, politics fell under the control of few. On the other side, respondents who are not
politicians mention political interpretation can affect heritages for good and for bad. Beyond
that the interpretation given can make heritages the property of all not of a certain group. These
two heritages are exposed to different political disputes because of politics and heritages
attachment. Heritage and cultural tourism is becoming a multibillion-dollar activity in spite of
the fact that they are interwoven with politics. Heritage tourism is not only of economic
significance but also stands out for having an important role to play with the facilitation of
reconciliation, inclusiveness, commemoration and the formation of a national identity. Whilst it
is important to address heritage issues through all those ways, as long as there are people or
groups who are using heritages as tools of political sabotage and used to amplify their political
interest, heritage politics issues need to be addressed. The Government should open up political
and social vacuums particularly for those who hold different perspectives, before they are forced
to reflect it in wrong ways. Finally, society should be mindful enough to hear and accept from
the professionals who are specialized on the issue of heritages than fraud politicians.
Description
Keywords
Heritage Politics, Red Terror Museum