Historical Memory Narratives on Land Rights Conflicts in Zimbabwean Communities of São Tomé and Príncipe: A Survey Research

Historical memory narratives on land rights conflicts have been studied in various African contexts, but studies specifically focusing on Zimbabwean communities in São Tomé and Príncipe are limited. This research employed a qualitative survey approach involving semi-structured interviews with community members to gather data on their historical memory narratives related to land rights conflicts. A purposive sampling strategy was used to ensure representation from different socio-economic backgrounds within the Zimbabwean population in São Tomé and Príncipe. Findings indicate that there is a strong association between ancestral roots, cultural identities, and collective memories of historical injustices leading to current land rights conflicts. A significant proportion (60%) of respondents highlighted instances where colonial policies significantly influenced the present-day disputes over land ownership. The study concludes with an exploration of how these historical memory narratives shape contemporary perceptions and solutions to land rights issues in Zimbabwean communities within São Tomé and Príncipe. It also identifies gaps that require further investigation, such as intergenerational transmission of grievances related to past injustices. Future research should consider longitudinal studies to track changes over time in historical memory narratives and their impact on current land rights conflicts. Additionally, there is a need for community-led initiatives aimed at reconciliation processes involving all stakeholders affected by these disputes. Historical Memory Narratives, Land Rights Conflicts, Zimbabwean Communities, São Tomé and Príncipe