The Conservation of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara with Community Involvement

In the context of exploring the issue of authenticity with community involvement in architectural or archaeological conservation, this chapter examines the case of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara, a World Heritage property in Tanzania, Eastern Africa. Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara are the remains of two port cities located on two neighbouring islands off the Tanzanian coast. Inscribed on the prestigious World Heritage List in 1981, both are rich in Swahili history, with layers of cultural interactions, and bear testimony to the Islamisation of East Africa and the prosperous Indian Ocean trade from the medieval period up to the modern era. The ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani, built of coral and lime mortar, include the Great Mosque, which was constructed in the 11th century and enlarged in the 13th century; the Husuni Kubwa Palace, built in the early 14th century with a large octagonal bathing pool; Husuni Ndogo, many mosques; the Gereza Prison; and an entire urban complex with public squares, houses, and burial grounds. The ruins of Songo Mnara comprise the remains of five mosques, a palace complex, and thirty-three domestic dwellings constructed of coral stones and wood, among other structures. With limitations in formal conservation frameworks, a great deal can be learned from models of community-led conservation, which have produced positive results at the ruins. It will be vital for traditional or local perspectives of authenticity to be promoted for the locals to own their narrative and embrace living heritage.