Oral Narratives and Oral Tradition – Rethinking History from the Margins

"Oral Narratives and Oral Tradition" offers a compelling exploration of how non-written sources can redefine the writing of history, especially in the realms of social and political narratives. This work highlights how confessions, depositions, and interviews of individuals beyond the formal administrative gaze played crucial roles in shaping colonial policies, from drafting laws to establishing committees—demonstrated through vivid examples.

It further emphasizes how personal interviews and oral testimonies can powerfully challenge the mainstream analyses produced by sociologists, historians, and psychologists, thereby creating a counter-narrative that enriches and complicates conventional historical understanding. The book also provides valuable insights into the methods and techniques of recording oral history, making it an essential guide for anyone interested in capturing the voices often left out of the official archives.

In short, this work opens up a new dimension in historiography, showing that the spoken word can be just as potent as the written one in shaping our understanding of the past.