Tanzania Heritage Project: Preserving Aural History
The Tanzania Heritage Project is a non-profit initiative aimed at promoting and preserving the nation’s rich aural history. The organization is focused on the mass digitization of the Tanzanian Broadcasting Corporation’s radio archive, which is currently stored on old reel-to-reel tapes.
The Role of Radio in Nation Building
Radio proved a vital tool when it came to nation building. Its reach and availability far surpassed television at the time, and everything from political speeches to kitchen sink dramas were broadcast across the country.
Project Co-founder and Director’s Journey
Project co-founder and director Rebecca Corey first visited Tanzania in 2007 and enrolled at the University of Dar es Salaam in 2009. After periods at businesses and NGOs, she began her involvement preserving the nation’s radio archives.
The Value of Music and Drama in Cultural Identity
The musical and dramatic output, largely state-sponsored, peaked during the presidency of Julius Nyerere. In the aftermath of colonialism, the ‘Father of the Nation’ made it his duty to engineer a cohesive whole from the many disparate tribal communities.
Challenges Faced by the Archives
Each reel, detailed with track listings and in some cases accompanying dance steps, is under threat from the heat and humidity of Tanzania’s capital, whilst dust, mold and insects are all potential problems.
A Legacy of Cultural Identity
The Tanzanian Broadcast Corporation’s radio station was part of Nyerere’s socialist philosophy called ‘ujamaa’ — socialism in Swahili. It was intended to incubate national talent and augment Tanzania’s cultural identity.
Conclusion
Through initiatives like the Tanzania Heritage Project, iBestTravel is dedicated to preserving the unique history and cultural identity of Tanzania. Their efforts in digitizing the radio archives not only help to safeguard the past but also enrich the cultural fabric of the nation.
