Tourism and cultural heritage resilience at the historic coastal towns of Lamu and Mombasa, Kenya

Abstract

Among the problems confronting the preservation of the cultural heritage especially in developing countries stems from socio- economic and environmental pressures. Owing to its cultural and economic importance, the cultural heritage system needs particular management approaches. However, most research and management efforts in Kenya continue to enforce conservation or preservation management methods at heritage places which compete with massive industrial development happening at various places in Kenya with minimal results. This research sought to assess the contribution of tourism on cultural heritage resilience in the historic coastal towns of Lamu and Mombasa. The study achieved this through four objectives namely: to investigate the current manifestations of cultural heritage in the historic coastal towns Lamu and Mombasa; to explore the changes (shocks) that the cultural heritage products have experienced in the historic coastal towns Lamu and Mombasa; to assess the contribution of tourism to tangible cultural heritage resilience in the historic coastal towns Lamu and Mombasa; to assess the contribution of tourism to intangible heritage resilience in the historic coastal towns of Lamu and Mombasa, Kenya. The study was anchored on ecological resilience theory and adapted exploratory and descriptive research approaches in order to ascertain insights and describe relationship between tourism, culture and heritage resilience. The target population of 470 comprised of elders, house hold leaders and heritage leaders was achieved based on shared characteristics and demographics e.g. elders in the two old towns. A sample size of 110 participants from both towns was selected through multistage cluster sampling, out of which 15 heritage managers, 40 community household leaders and 55 community elders were selected using purposive and snowball techniques. Interviews with the aid of interview guide was conducted on site managers and household leaders while observation schedule and photography were used to check presence of cultural heritage manifestation. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze data derived from observation and photographic materials, while content analysis-specifically attribution and designation analysis were used to analyze data. The study established that cultural heritage is manifested through traditions, expressions, and social practices. Social ceremonies such as weddings held a higher manifestation frequency of 39%, that it is manifested as a sense of identity and continuity. The study noted, Cultural heritage experience biophysical, socio-economic, or environmental shocks. Intangible heritage seemed to experience most shocks at a frequency of 89.9%, against built heritage at 10.1%. The research established, a majority 38.9% of respondents disagreed on whether tourism played a major role in resilience of CH, therefore negating the idea that locals preserve cultural heritage primarily for tourism purposes. It was noted, the greatest contributor of heritage resilience in the old towns was their inclination to Islamic religion. The study concluded that while resilience of tangible cultural heritage systems as a result of tourism is evident, cultural experts must first recognize the role of local values such as religion on heritage resilience. The study also recommends identification of negative change in heritage which is critical to resilience in open environments experiencing immense socio- economic and environmental pressures such as the old towns