Innovation and Preservation: Shadreck Chirikure on the Performance of Heritage

In conversation with Hanna Hölling, archaeologist Shadreck Chirikure discusses the continuity of cultural traditions through the sustained performance of heritage. For Chirikure, the continuity of intangible heritage is secured through its active use – even if this use means constant change and adaptation by new generations: “Continuity,” he argues, “enables change.” Uniting various indigenous as well as academic perspectives in his own work, Chirikure believes that including multiple standpoints in archaeological research and heritage projects will lead to the best outcomes.