SOUTH-SOUTH KNOWLEDGE CIRCULATION

4.6 The history and methodology of oral history

In this podcast, Tanja Hammel discusses the history and methodology of oral history. What challenges do historians encounter when either researching oral history or conducting interviews themselves?*

New Media Center, Universität Basel · ACTGH_4 6 The History And Methodology Of Oral History

Ruth Weiss interviewing Ndabaningi Sithole, Switzerland/Zimbabwe, October-December 1976

Ruth Weiss interviewing Ndabaningi Sithole, Switzerland/Zimbabwe, October-December 1976 (Basler Afrika Bibliographien: BPA.43 000 3016) ¹

Traditionally, European- and American-educated historians have focused on written documents. On the African continent, however, oral history has been much more important. Tanja Hammel investigates how the status of oral history has changed over the years. She also identifies the methods to use when doing an interview. An extract from an oral history interview provides a practical example of interviewing techniques.