Transmission of Traditional Culture through Digital Technology in Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study addressed the transmission of traditional culture through digital technology gap in Zimbabwe using the descriptive design. Purposive sampling was used to select the headman and the chief and residents from the Chundu Village who were interviewed as they are the custodians of the traditions. Documented information revealed how values and norms had been transmitted. The study used a questionnaire and an interview schedule to collect data from the field.  In addition, observational data was gathered through visits to virtual museums and digital archives. This involved watching how individuals interacted with social networking sites.  Data was analyzed through the thematic approach. The study concludes that digital technology played an important role in the transmission and preservation of the Zimbabwean traditional culture. Therefore, there is a need to improve internet accessibility in the country so that people may manage to access the cultural heritage through digital technologies. While digital experts have the knowledge of how to use current technology from the information super high way to the hardware information communication technologies, traditional practitioners are the curators the tradition as they know what is vital and what has value in terms of their traditional norms and values. By combining traditional practitioners and digital experts, it makes it very easy to reach the goal of preserving the traditional culture through digital technology.