Africa’s cultural presence on UNESCO’s World Heritage list has grown with the inclusion of Cameroon’s Mandara Mountains and Malawi’s sacred Mount Mulanje. The Diy-Gid-Biy landscape of the Mandara Mountains has archaeological sites that have been in existence since the 12th century. Meanwhile, Malawians consider Mount Mulanje the home of gods, spirits, and ancestors. In addition, UNESCO added the Murujuga rock art site in Western Australia—home to over a million carvings potentially dating back 50,000 years—to the list, sparking celebration among the Mardudunera people. Though the listing doesn’t guarantee protection for the sites, it often pushes governments to act. With more African sites under review, UNESCO’s latest update underscores a growing global effort to preserve both natural wonders and painful histories.
Aljazeera
