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Can We Believe the Stories about Biko? Oral Sources, Meaning, and Emotion in South African Struggle History
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 January 2015
Abstract
This article explores the use of oral sources in constructing South Africa’s Black Consciousness movement history, including the difficulties in dealing with oral histories dominated by the figure of Steve Biko. It argues that despite its limitations, historians can use oral history to effectively pursue both the actual past and the contemporary meaning of oral history in a balanced way. It further argues that in doing so, historians should respectfully, yet critically incorporate emotions expressed in these interviews into their analyses to provide a richer and more accurate history.
Résumé
Cet article examine l’utilisation des sources orales pour la construction de l’histoire du mouvement de Conscience Noire en Afrique du Sud. Il se penche en particulier sur la difficulté d’étudier des histoires orales dominées par la figure de Steve Biko. Son argument principal est que les historiens peuvent utiliser l’histoire orale, malgré ses limites, pour comprendre tout aussi bien les faits du passé que leur signification actuelle. De la sorte, les historiens devraient incorporer avec respect et esprit critique les émotions exprimées lors de leurs entretiens dans leurs analyses pour écrire une histoire plus précise et fouillée.
- Type
- Critical Historiography
- Information
- Copyright
- Copyright © African Studies Association 2014
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