Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage at Robben Island Museum

Tongo-Cetywayo, Nolubabalo
Nolubabalo Tongo-Cetywayo, BA, MPhil in Cultural Tourism and Heritage Studies, is currently a PhD candidate at University of Fort Hare. Her research interest is the protection of intangible cultural heritage at Robben Island Museum and is passionate about oral history.

Robben Island is a small island in Table Bay, near Cape Town, contrasts with its powerful symbolic value which represents the resilience of human spirit against adversity. Robben Island's significance is derived from its historical, symbolism and physical environment; a site of oppression, sociocultural control and resistance; site of resilience, transformation and human dignity and a site of education and pilgrimage. The island has been a prison for much of its history, housing indigenous leaders who opposed to colonial rule and political prisoners under the Apartheid regime. It has also been a hospital for mental patients and people with leprosy and the training camp for black and female soldiers during Second World War (WW2). The uniqueness of Robben Island is associated with the intangible heritage. By conserving the tangible heritage of the island, we therefore conserve the intangibles. The conservation of the cultural landscape is located on the living memories of the site; thus memories inform conservation. This book will critically look at how the museum has striven to conserve its authenticity and integrity - and in that way conserving the spirit of Robben Island.