History and Citizenship

TOPIC AREA 1:  COLLECTING  AND ANALYSING HISTORICAL SOURCES

 Sub-Topic Area 1:  Concepts of History and Historical Research

Unit 1:  Historical sources 

Definition of History

Activity 1.1

Using the internet and a dictionary, research on the definitions of History.

Definitions

You probably remember your childhood friend you liked playing with. You may also remember your first day in school. Some people may remember the name of their first class teachers. Such a collection of information about our past forms our history. History is a subject that deals with the study of people’s way of life in the past.

Through the study of History, we are able to appreciate people’s past. We can also make informed decisions about the present and devise ways of improving the future.

Sources of Historical information

These include the following:

 (i) Oral tradition

 (ii) Written sources 

(iii) Electronic sources (Audio-visual sources) 

(iv) Archaeology 

(v) Linguistics 

(vi) Anthropology 

(vii) Genetics 

Each of these sources of historical information has been discussed below.

(i) Oral tradition 

Activity 1.2

Narrate short stories, one student at a time. After that tell your colleagues where you got the story from. 

That process of telling information by word of mouth is called oral tradition. It is one method of collecting historical information.

Oral tradition is defined as any information passed by word of mouth (verbally) from one generation to another. This is done through socialisation especially between the young and the old.

Oral traditions may be in form of songs, stories, legends, poems and proverbs of people’s past. It is based on eyewitness accounts about an event.

Oral traditions are transmitted mostly by traditionalists, old men and old women. These people have a wide knowledge about history, medicine, administration, technology and culture of their societies.

   Fig. 1.1: Oral tradition as a source of History

(ii) Written sources 

They include books, non published documents, letters, dailies, magazines, journals, inscriptions on coins and newspapers. Among the earliest written records was the ‘Periplus of the Erythrean Sea’. It was written by an unknown Greek. 

Activity 1.3

1.Get any two or more newspapers.

 a) Find the dates and the publishers of the newspapers. 

 b) Read at least one article from each newspaper.

 2. Give a summary of each article.

Fig. 1.2: Written sources of History

(iii) Electronic sources (Audio-visual sources)

These include the use of modern technology such as mobile phones, radios, television, cinemas and the internet. 

Fig. 1.3: A television set

Activity 1.4 

Have you ever watched a television programme about wildlife? 

(a) Briefly describe what you saw in the movie. 

 (b) State how the movie is related to the following subjects: 

• Geography 

• Biology 

Getting information through seeing and hearing is what we call audio-visual.   It is one of the ways through which historical information is collected.

It also deals with obtaining information by listening to or watching other devices. It is one of the modern sources of information.

(iv) Archaeology

It refers to the study of dug up materials or material remains of people’s past. Ryamurari is one of the archaelogical sites in our country. It is located in Bufunda Village, Bufunda Cell, Mukama Sector, Nyagatare District in Eastern Province.

Activity 1.5 

1. Visit the website of the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda to find out more about the archaelogical site mentioned above.

 2. Find out from other books that have the History of Rwanda, other archaelogical sites in other parts of our country. 

3. Draw a map of Rwanda to show the above mentioned archaeological site.

                                                              Important! 

As a way of conserving the environment, places of historical importance need to be protected. Such places can be used to generate income to the locals and to the government. This can be achieved through tourism.

(v) Linguistics

Activity 1.6 

1. Pronounce the following words in your local language:

 • Teacher

 • Chalk 

• Computer

 •      Class

 • Family

 2. Identify the similarities and differences in the pronunciations of the given words.

Linguistics deals with the study and analysis of languages, their sound,  evolution structure and formation. It also deals with the relationship between various languages. From these studies, one can conclude that people of the same language may have been in contact. For example, Bantu language has common words linked to ‘NTU’. That indicates that they may share a common historical origin.

                                                               Important! 

Even when all of you have a common local language, the pronunciations of words may differ. This is because of where each of you was born. In spite of all this, the meaning remains the same. Language is a unifying factor among people. This is because they can understand each other, can relate well and solve any issues that may arise amongst them. This promotes peace in the long run.

(vi) Anthropology 

This is the study of the existing social institutions and relationships of people’s cultures, traditions, norms, values and attitudes. It deals with the study of how societies were established. It also deals with how they were socially, economically and politically organised. All these act as a basis of transformation of society to the present status.

By studying people’s past, we appreciate their culture. This helps us to pick and promote acceptable behaviour. We also avoid what has been proved negative to the general wellbeing of the society.

 In Rwanda, the Institute of National Museum is a good source of information. It has information on the history of the country and the region.

Fig. 1.4: The Institute of National Museum of Rwanda in Huye District

Rwanda is known worldwide as a country of a thousand hills.  It is also one of the world’s richest nations in terms of diversified cultural heritage. The Rwandan cultural heritage contains both tangible and intangible components.

These include sites that offer an incomparable view of the beauty of our country. They also give our visitors a platform to learn about Rwandan history, mythology and culture. Travelling through the country provides an interesting insight into some of those sites. Most of these sites are often located in beautiful countryside. 

The Institute of National Museums of Rwanda (INMR) researches on these sites. It is a way of identifying, protecting and promoting them for cultural heritage. Cultural heritage promotes tourism.

(vii) Genetics

 Genetics is the study of genes, heredity and genetic variations in living organisms. Genetic studies enables historians to categorise different races and ethnic groups. The study of  Genetic enables historians to understand human identity and origins of different communities. Since this occurs over time, a historian can capture relevant periods in the development of people. Through comparative studies of DNA, which is inherited from parents, it is widely believed that modern humans, Homo sapiens sapiens, originated in Africa.

                                                                Remember! 

The sources of information may be acquired from people who had first hand account of the event or events. One way is through narrations. This make up primary sources of information. 

The information may as well be interprated, analysed and written. The writings may be in form of stories, pictures or even symbols and signs. This form of passing historical information make up secondary sources of information.

Primary sources of History

I was present during the wedding between Ms Ingabire and Mr Mazimpaka. I swear that was the wedding of the year. It could only be likened to a state function. Many dignitaries from Rwanda and other countries were present. The most memorable moment was their arrival. I saw and counted fifty cars. What a motorcade! 

About thirty minutes after the cars had been parked, a thunderous sound was heard. Attention of those present shifted to the sky. Ten white choppers were descending to earth. They landed in style, one after the other. The bride and the groom alighted. They were received by a well trained band. In short, it was a colourful wedding ceremony.

The above narration gives a first-hand account of the wedding. The person talking witnessed the wedding. This is an example of a primary source. Primary sources provide first-hand accounts about a person or a historical event. Examples of primary sources of History are:

 • Letters  

  •     Manuscripts

 • Speeches   

 •     Photographs 

• Diaries    

•     Artefacts 

• Oral interviews

Secondary sources of History

Five years down the line, the wedding of Mr and Mrs Mazimpaka is still being talked about. It is said that it was attended by dignitaries from Rwanda and beyond. Some say that the bride and the bridegroom were escorted by about ten choppers. The number of vehicles at the ceremony is said to have been over forty

The above is an extract from one of the local newspapers in Rwanda. It reports about the wedding you read about under primary sources of History. Such a report is what makes a secondary source. This is because secondary sources of History interpret and analyse primary sources of History. They may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them. Examples of secondary sources of History include: 

• Magazines

 • Articles 

• Encyclopaedia 

Process of collecting Historical information

Kayirege is a student who sits in front of the class because she is short-sighted. She was given a task by her Mathematics teacher. She was asked to write the names of students in her class. She wrote eighteen names for all the girls and sixteen names for the boys. On that day, one male student, who was sick, was absent. She indicated this on her list. She presented the list to her teacher afterwards

By doing this exercise, Kayirege was collecting information about her class. 

The following is the process of collecting information: 

• Data collection 

• Data analysis

 • Conclusion 

Historical information is collected following the same process. 

By writing the names, Kayirege was collecting information about members of her class. Data collection is gathering of information from different sources. The methods of data collection include questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, survey, tape-recording, filming, photographing and observation. 

To determine the number of female and male students, Kayirege was to analyse the information she had collected. Her further analysis showed that one student, who was male, was absent. Data analysis is interpreting the data collected. It involves putting or simplifying the data collected for easy interpretation. It can be put in categories, tabular, pictorial, chart or graph form. 

From the class list Kayirege presented to the teacher, a conclusion could easily be made. For example, one can calculate the ratio of girls to boys in the class. It is also possible to calculate the percentage of girls and boys in the class. This is called a conclusion. A conclusion is therefore making decisions on the data collected. 

Importance of studying History 

Gahizi, Kwikiriza and Hakuzimana were high school friends. They all studied History. They met recently in a café for their business deals. 

Gahizi:  Tomorrow, I will be passing judgement on a case that has been ongoing for months now. However, I am happy that the end seems near

Kwikiriza:  As for me, I will be indoors. We were out of the the city overseeing road constructions.

Hakuzimana:  Then I suggest we meet next weekend because I will be having History lectures with my university students on Wednesday and Thursday. Can we meet somewhere else or will we come back here to discuss our pending business deal? 

From the conversation, it is evident that the trio went on to pursue lucrative careers. The study of History further enabled them get their current jobs. From them, we learn that History is a career subject. 

The following are other reasons why History is more than a career subject: 

•History prepares us for the future, after we have known the present and past. For example, Rwanda’s pre-colonial, colonial and post independence era helps us plan for our country.

 • The study of History inspires us and instills in us a patriotic and nationalistic spirit. This spirit develops as we learn about our heroes such as Kigeli IV Rwabugiri. 

• We study History as a career subject. Through it we can become teachers, lawyers, administrators, curators and politicians.

 • It also sharpens our critical sense as it widens our knowledge and competencies. Through History, we can read, write, interpret information, debate and draw logical conclusions and judgments. 

• It promotes moral principles through the study of personalities with high moral standards. It helps us to avoid any form of injustice.

 • It helps to promote international understanding among nations and people. This is through the study of other countries’ systems of governance. It can be achieved through actions of international organisations such as the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) and the East African Community (EAC)

. • It helps us to be tolerant. Through the study of History, we are able to learn about culture and values of different ethnic groups, tribes and races. This is important in the promotion of mutual understanding, tolerance and peaceful co-existence.

• It helps us to understand the nature of social, economic and political problems of a given society.

 • It helps us to make a thorough analysis of the past events such as the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This will help us prevent them from occurring again.

Challenges in collecting historical sources 

Activity 1.7

Read the following story 

In the past, people carried out trade over long distances. Trade was (and still is) important to people. This is because it helps them make money. Imagine you are one of the traders. You need to travel to a far off place to sell your goods. You also need to find out information about some of the products needed in your area. Your means of transport is a donkey, with its cart. On the way, there are dangers posed by wild animals.

The people you intend to visit do not understand your language. Last time you travelled to a similar place, you managed to sell a few goods. This is because the only form of communication was by use of gestures.

1. Identify the challenges of trading in this kind of a situation.

 2. Discuss how the challenges highlighted by this story relate to the challenges in collecting historical information.

Use the following points to guide your discussion. 

• Some sources are inconvenient to use for all learners. For instance, oral tradition which cannot be used by people with hearing impairments. 

• Some historical sources are affected by language barrier. A piece of information may be in a local language which might be not easy to translate into another language. 

• Written records cannot be used by illiterate people. 

• Oral traditional sources are highly affected by death. Once someone dies before it is recorded then the information is lost. 

• Some historical sources are very hard to interpret and are usually misinterpreted. For example, use of gestures. In some cases, stone inscriptions found in caves are sources of historical information, though may be hard to interpret. 

• In some cases, getting the right information takes a longer time. This is because of the many processes involved.

Other challenges in collecting historical information

• Some historical sources such as archaeology are expensive to use.  They require expensive resources such as excavation and laboratory equipment. 

• Some historical sources such as archaeology require experts and skilled people. Such experts are usually lacking in some areas.

 • It is also difficult to trace some historical information especially where fossils are involved.

Revision questions

1. Identify the source of information that will be easier to use for:

 (a) The visually impaired 

(b) The physically handicapped

 (c) Those with hearing impairments 

2. Justify the importance of studying History.

 3. Identify different ways through which historical information is collected. 

4. Explain the advantages of written sources of History.

 5. State the disadvantages of oral sources of History. 

6. Explain the challenges faced in collecting historical information.