In collaboration with the Department of Antiquities and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Mlambe Foundation has initiated the establishment of Tisunge! Lower Shire Heritage Centre. Tisunge is Chichewa for 'Let's preserve'. The centre aims to promote natural and cultural resource awareness and conservation in the Lower Shire Valley of southernmost Malawi. Pertinent in the project is the close collaboration with local community based organizations. Local community support is critical to effective heritage conservation policy. Equally important is the due recognition of the local communities as the rightful owners of this rich culture and natural heritage. Hence, they are to reap the fruits of this project.

The establishment of a Lower Shire Heritage Centre is proposed with the following objectives:
• Dissemination of knowledge of Lower Shire cultural and natural heritage.
• Education on the importance of natural and cultural resource preservation.
• Promoting regional sustainable tourism.
• Facilitating sustainable income generation for local communities.
• Preserving archaeological sites of the Lower Shire Valley for future generations.
• Promotion and facilitation of national and international research and co-operation.
• Promotion of the community based natural and cultural resources management programmes.

Tisunge! is being built at the entrance of Lengwe National Park, which is where the Lundu kings reputedly had their capital. From there, they ruled the Lower Shire Valley and far in to present-day Mozambique from the 13th to the mid 19th century. For this reason the current Paramount Chief Lundu still resides in the same place.

Tisunge! shall be managed by the Lower Shire Heritage Trust in which, amongst others, the Foundation, the Department of Antiquities, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, local chiefs and CBOs and Jambo Africa shall participate.

The realisation of Tisunge! has been made possible by the generous contributions of The Royal Dutch Embassy in Lusaka, Zambia, Impulsis (ICCO) and the World Wildlife Fund (the Netherlands). The Foundation has been able to fill the gaps thanks to the many contributions from other generous donors.

At this stage, another 50,000.00 Euro is required for the complete realisation of Tisunge! Lower Shire Heritage Centre (including three staff houses). Tisunge! must become self-sustainable in a few years, but for those first few years additional annual funding of about 8,000 Euro is required for the running costs. All contributions and donations are much appreciated. Furthermore, (professional) volunteers are very welcome to help in the realisation of this project.

Currently the main buildings of Tisunge! are in the final stages of completion. The exposition building is as good as ready, as are the arts & craft shop and the ablution block. Two offices, the library and the meeting area are currently in construction and are estimated to be finalised by the end of March 2007.

We have also started collecting historical and ethnographic objects in the villages of the Lower Shire Valley, which will be displayed in the exhibition. In this undertaking the director of the Foundation has been assisted by government staff and enthusiastic volunteers. Before being purchased, the history and usage of the objects are well documented. The process of collecting has given the director ample opportunity to stress the importance of heritage preservation and to introduce the heritage centre to the Lower Shire communities.

As an intrinsic part of the realisation of the heritage centre, the Foundation, in cooperation with Chichiri Museum, has reintroduced the traditional weaving and spinning in six villages surrounding Lengwe National Park (Tomali, Ndakwera, Kanzimbi, Singano, Kampani, Mchenga). It is intended that the cloth shall be woven from hand spun locally cultivated cotton. Already many pieces of beautiful cloth have been woven (as yet with industrial cotton yarn), which can be used for placemats, table runners, chief chairs, or bags. The generated income will be used for Tisunge!. The reintroduction of the weaving and spinning tradition was funded by Impulsis.

With a view to sustainability great effort was put into the planting of indigenous trees at Tisunge! and along the river Nkhombedzi. The planting of the seedlings is being conducted under the supervision of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and is executed by the local football and netball clubs who become the owners of the trees they plant. As compensation for the planting and continuous care of the seedlings each club will receive a new ball and uniforms. The planting programme was made financially possible with a grant from the World Wildlife Fund (the Netherlands).
 

More information on Tisunge! Lower Shire Heritage Centre is available on request. For questions, a detailed project proposal and budget, please don't hesitate to contact us.