Work

Authenticity lost? The significance of cultural villages in the conservation of heritage in South Africa

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: Based on a(n) (interrupted) period of 15 years of fieldwork, this study explores the question whether cultural villages in South Africa are to be considered an effective way to conserve a particular cultural heritage in an authentic way. In order to answer this question, three notions of authenticity are juxtaposed with three types of cultural villages. The outcomes reveal a nuanced answer that suggests that some types of cultural villages do contribute to the conservation of an authentic cultural heritage, but not all. The research also shows how cultural heritage tourism is often haunted and influenced by old colonial stereotypes and exoticism.

Source: Journal of Heritage Tourism

DOI: 10.1080/1743873x.2017.1284851

Authors: Chris Boonzaaier, Harry Wels

Institutions: University of Pretoria, African Studies Centre, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, University of the Western Cape

Language: English

Topic: Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation

Subfield: Archeology

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2584339493

FWCI: 11.14

Cites: 32

Cited by: 27

Related to: 10