Advanced International Journal for Research

E-ISSN: 3048-7641   •   Impact Factor: 9.11

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Volume 7 Issue 4
July-August 2026

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The Double-Edged Drum: Digital Technologies And The Transformation Of Traditional Cultural Practices In Zimbabwe

Author(s) Mr. Edmore Mashungu, Ms. Yeukai Mandongwe, Mr. Taddious Morgan Pasipanodya
Country Zimbabwe
Abstract Digitalization has profoundly influenced cultural practices, transformation and authenticity. This paper addressed the dual impact of digital technologies on the preservation, transmission and transformation of traditional cultural practices in Zimbabwe. Historically, cultural practices relied on physical artefacts and oral traditions. For generations, Zimbabwean cultural heritage encompassing chinyakare (traditional way of life), indigenous languages, oral folklore and ritual practices have relied on intergenerational oral transmission from elders to youth. However, rapid globalisation of mobile technologies, social media platforms such as TikTok, WhatsApp and YouTube, alongside digital archives, has disrupted this ecosystem. Digitalization presents challenges of cultural coherence and the potential loss of authenticity. Using qualitative research and document analysis, the study investigated digitalization's impact on traditional cultural practices. In Zimbabwe, digital media presents an existential threat of cultural homogenization where Western-centric digital consumption displaces localised traditions, resulting in the erosion of indigenous linguistic nuances and customary norms among tech-savvy youth. Observational data gathered through visits to virtual museums and digital archives and observation of individual interactions with social media platforms were analysed through a thematic approach. This paper concluded that while digital technology alters the traditional physical context of cultural practice, it simultaneously democratises access and expands cultural transmission to the global diaspora. To ensure stability, the study recommended a collaborative framework bridging traditional community elders with digital practitioners to foster culturally secure youth-led digital preservation.
Keywords Digitalization, Cultural Homogenization, Digital Archives, Zimbabwean Cultural Heritage
Field Sociology > Education
Published In Volume 7, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On 2026-08-07
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E-ISSN 3048-7641
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