A Landmark for Heritage: Zambia’s Barotse Cultural Landscape on the 2025 World Monuments Watch

In January 2025, a momentous event marked a turning point for heritage conservation in Zambia. The Barotse Cultural Landscape, a vast and rich tapestry of history, tradition, and natural beauty in the Western Province of Zambia, was officially included on the prestigious World Monuments Watch list. This recognition not only elevated the profile of Zambia’s heritage but also underscored the urgent need for safeguarding the cultural and environmental wealth of the Barotse region for future generations.
The Barotse Cultural Landscape is a living, dynamic region that has been home to the Lozi people for centuries. Located along the Zambezi River in the Western Province of Zambia, the area is defined by its intricate relationship between people, land, water, and wildlife. It is a place where cultural practices are intricately linked to the rhythms of nature, from the annual Kuomboka ceremony that celebrates the movement of the Litunga (King) and his people across the floodplains, to the traditional fishing, farming, and the nomadic lifestyles that have sustained the Lozi people for generations.
The Barotse plains, with their swamps, wetlands, and seasonal floodplain dynamics, are not only an ecological marvel but also a living canvas for the cultural practices of the people of Barotse that have evolved in harmony with this unique environment. From ancient songlines to the craftsmanship of its people, every aspect of the landscape tells a story.
The World Monuments Watch, established to raise awareness about cultural heritage sites in need of urgent preservation, annually highlights sites of global significance that are facing threats. For Zambia, the inclusion of the Barotse Cultural Landscape is a major achievement in the global recognition of its heritage. It opened the door to international support, expertise, and funding for conservation initiatives that have long been needed to preserve this remarkable site.
This milestone is not just about international attention; it is about empowering local communities to protect and maintain their own cultural identity. The Lozi people, through their traditional governance structures, have long been stewards of the land, but the increasing pressures from climate change, population growth, and infrastructure development have posed serious risks to the delicate balance of their ecosystem and cultural practices.
The floods that have shaped the annual rhythms of life, once predictable and manageable, have become more erratic, and the delicate wetland areas were increasingly vulnerable to overuse and environmental degradation.
By placing the Barotse Cultural Landscape on the World Monuments Watch, the international community is sending a powerful message about the importance of preserving indigenous cultural landscapes that are inextricably tied to both the environment and the people who depend on them. This recognition catalyzed efforts to address the pressing challenges that the Barotse region faces.
Reacting the announcement, National Heritage Conservation Commission Acting Executive Director Mr. Kagosi Mwamulowe said the Barotse Cultural Landscape’s inclusion on the World Monuments Watch list is not just a victory for heritage conservation in Zambia, but for the broader global effort to protect and celebrate the world’s diverse cultures and environments.
He said this milestone was a reminder to the world that cultural landscapes, like the Barotse plains, are not static relics of the past but living, breathing testaments to the interconnectedness of humanity and nature—a legacy that deserves to be protected for generations to come.
The inclusion of the Barotse Cultural Landscape on the 2025 World Monuments Watch is a landmark moment for both heritage conservation and the preservation of Zambia’s cultural identity. It highlights the interconnectedness between people and place, and the importance of safeguarding both the tangible and intangible elements of a culture. This milestone serves as a reminder that heritage conservation is not just about preserving the past but ensuring that future generations can continue to live in harmony with the landscapes and traditions that define them.