Zimbabwe's Political Theatre: a performed nation being disARTiculated?

Abstract

With a hegemony/resistance approach, this thesis offers an interpretation of the dynamic relation between, on the one hand the sustained attempts by the Mugabe regime to construct and propagate hegemony, and on the other hand how this shapes artistic practices which represent an alternative story of reality and of lived experiences. Based upon literature review and fieldwork, the thesis will present how hegemony evolves around patriotic history and liberation nationalism, ZANU-PF’s main ideology and ‘untouchable’ story of the past. Of special interest are the unconventional ways to resist this dominant power but the study follows the idea that power relations are dynamic and interactive. The study is not meant to measure the impact or social change cultural resistance brings about, but merely provides an in-depth understanding of how the dynamic process works out and is experienced on the ground. More insight is gained on how local citizens give meaning to their lives, and stories of individuals are highlighted. The specific focus is on artists and activists who are using arts for their activism. Fieldwork included observations and in-depth interviews with people active in the cultural sector and more informal conversations with human rights activists in Zimbabwe. Based on collected data, the study found that culture and art present an important political tool. Both for the reproduction of hegemony and for disarticulation of the hegemony and representing alternative meanings of reality. The state proved very capable in adopting popular culture to rearticulate its hegemony. Next to ruling with consent, the state created several limitations for people to speak out, such as inhibiting sections in the law and a created culture of fear that ultimately leads to self-censorship. Despite the limitations, it is argued that the particular appeal of art as a tool for resistance lies in its ability to present people, who are left out of the political arena, the possibility to express themselves in more critical ways than conventional forms of resistance. Art offers a valuable tool to resist the state propagated image of Zimbabwe and offers the possibility for alternative representation of the past, present and future.