TOPIC 1 - SOURCES AND IMPORTANCE
OF HISTORY
Meaning of History
- History is the study
of man and his activities in different periods.
- History is the study
of the past events collected by historians based by veritable facts.
- History is the study
which deals with past events
- History is a record of
events pertaining to human activities, his social, economic and political
development from the past the present and the future.
- History refers to the
study of past events, present situation and prediction of the future or it is
the study of changes in the process of material production.
- History is defined as
knowledge that entails chronologically presented narrations about human activities
pertaining to social, economic, technological and political aspects from the
past to the future.
In general, history can also refer to an academic discipline which uses a
narrative to examine and analyze the sequences of past events and objectively
determine the patterns of cause and effect that determine them. It’s the record
of human activities which enable man to survival and attain essential needs
from the environment.
The basic needs of
humankind include food shelter and clothing. Due to social, political,
cultural, economic and technological transformations humankind's activities
have to change from time to time.
Actions taken against nature aim to change natural objects into conditions that
can satisfy human needs; these activities against nature are what we call
material production. Material production includes can be observed in sharpening
of sticks to make a spear, digging trenches to trap wild animals and many more.
IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING
HISTORY
It is important to study
history because it helps us:
1.To know the origin of
man and his achievements and development up to the present time.
2.To understand the
relationship that existed between humans, and the environment.
3.To develop an
understanding and appreciation of the cultural, political, economic and
technological advancements made by African societies before and after colonialism.
4.To understand how
African societies were formed, how they developed and the factors that influenced
this development. It also allows us to develop an understanding of the events,
conditions and factors that shaped the past and those which have shaped the
present conditions of the world in order to predict the
future.
5.To develop the basic
skills of critical thinking, reasoning, judgment, empathy and effective
participation in human developmental activities. Studying history also helps us
to understand and appreciate the efforts made and strategies used by African
people to regain their independence and resist neocolonialism.
6.To develop, understand
and appreciation the need for African unity, cooperation and interdependence,
conflict resolution and effective participation in social, economic and
political development of Africa. It also helps us to develop an understanding
of the relationships between African’s development problems and foreign
intrusion, colonial domination, cultural subjugation and economic exploitation
at various stages in history.
7.To acquire knowledge for
its own sake as you enjoy a novel with fiction, a film with an interesting
plot. It is not clear why people are interested in these ventures and in the
same way people do enjoy to know the history of particular topics.
8.To develop our
patriotism, history students know their heroes and heroines and traitors. This
makes history a sensitive subject in places where political leaders are not
sure of their legitimacy.
9.To enlighten people
about the advantages of certain economic practices for example, the way the
development in the world today is measured by the industrial revolution that
took place in Europe in 1750.
10.
To understand the level of development at different stages of
human development. Without history it is very difficult to determine or to tell
what humans were doing in the past. Therefore, it is through history that one
can extensively understand the level of development that humans have reached at
in a given period in time.
11.
It helps us learn about technological transformations, for example
primitive livelihood to advanced livelihood (using of stones and wood tools to
iron tools)
12.
To understand how humans adapted to their environment and how the struggled
to earn a living from the environment. This therefore looks at the long struggle
of man by exercises of his reason to understand the environment and to act up
on it.
13.
To acquire skills in historical issues and becoming professionals
in history, some people such as archaeologists and historians study history for
career purposes.
14.
Historical knowledge makes the present comprehensive which is why journalists
and writers of sensational stories spend some time explaining the history of a
particular incident; it is only when one knows the past of a person or an incident
that the present can became meaningful.
SOURCES OF HISTORY
Sources of history refer
to the avenues that can be used to get historical information. It requires an
inter-disciplinary approach in order to get the actual historical information.
Replying on a single source of history evidence will not satisfy your curiosity
as one source links you to the other. It is therefore crystal clear that no
single source of history can stand on its own.
Therefore, the following are
sources of history/historical knowledge:
a)
Oral
tradition
b)
Historical
sites
c)
Written
records/documents
d)
Archives
e)
Museums
f)
Archeology
g)
Audio-
visual record, e.g Cassets, Cd’s, Tv programs etc.
h)
Anthropology
i)
Linguistics
1. ORAL
TRADITION
This
involves the passing information by word of mouth through talking and listening.
Oral tradition pass historical information into two ways, through culture practices
like art, music, religion, riddles, songs, proverbs, superstition, poems and stories.
and narration of past events.
Story Telling, Oral Tradition
Function of Oral Tradition
1. It preserves historical information of
society
2. It collects and pass historical information
between generations in the society.
3. It helps researchers in data collection.
Advantages of Oral Tradition
1. It preserve and reveal historical information
which are not recorded
2. Both illiterate and literate people can
obtain historical information.
3. Within oral tradition there are warning and
teachings.
4. Is the easiest and cheapest method of
obtaining information.
5. It is more live source, since it involves
physical interaction.
Disadvantages of Oral Tradition
1. It needs much attention and power of memory
2. False information can be given by story
teller.
3. Narration of historical events are centered
to those people of status i.e Kings, Queens, Chief. White talking little about
common society.
4. There are language problems when narrators
use vernacular language.
5. It is difficult to distinguish what is real
and what is imaginary information.
6. Translation is very difficult because some
languages are no longer in existence.
2. HISTORICAL SITES
Are special places where
by the past human remains can be found and shown to the public. These are
places in which the remains of once lived human in the past can be found. They
comprise man’s physical development, tools that were made and used from time to
time. In these areas we find /see past human products and animal bones.
Examples of historical sites include:
1. Isimila, Olduvai
George, Kondoa Irangi, Bagamoyo, Zanzibar, Kilwa, Mafia, Engaruka, Kagera etc
inTanzania.
2. Nsongezi, Biggo,
Ntubi, Rusinga island, Magosi and Ishago in Uganda.
3. Lake Rudolf
(Turkana), Lake Naivasha, Njoro, Olongesailie, Lake Magadi, Lamu, Mombasa and
mt. Kenya in Kenya.
Bagamoyo Monuments, Historical Site
Functions of
Historical Sites
1. Preserves historical
information for the coming generations.
2. They are useful
sources of information and to reconstruct history.
3. hey are the symbols
of social cultural heritage to the society concern past human tools, rock,
paints etc.
Advantages of
Historical Sites
1. They helps for
practical historical learning. Eg. Through observation of past human tools,
rock, paints
2. They used to reveal
past settlement patterns, levels of technology, economic development of
political organization reached by the past societies.
3. Acts as centers of
tourism.
4. They helps in
transforming theoretical teaching of history to practical historical learning.
5. It acts as the
resource centers to researchers.
6. It provides
employment opportunities eg: guiders
Disadvantages of
Historical Sites
1. It brings confusion
to interpret the remains found in historical sites
2. Many of historical
sites are found on remote areas hence difficult for many people to visit them.
3. ARCHAEOLOGY
This refers to the
scientific study of past human remains. This is the study of material remain of
man’s past through scientific methods The one specializes in archeology is
called ARCHAEOLOGIST. Archaeology involve
excavations (digging) of the remains of man’s past historical sites and Interpretation.
The famous archaeologist in East Africa was Dr. Louis Leaky with his wife Mary
Leakey
Archaeology involves the use of carbon
14 dating to determine plants and animal remains.
Excavation, Archeology
Functions of
Archaeology
1. Gives important
information about man through different stages.
2. It is a useful method
of revealing soil covered historical remains.
3. It arouse curiosity
of searching past man historical information.
Advantages of
Archaeology
1. It helps people to
know when and how people lived in a certain place.
2. Past objects tells us
about the life and culture of past people.
3. It helps us to know and
reveal the technology, pastoral, agricultural and commercial activities of the
past man.
4. Through excavation we
get knowledge of artifacts eg. Pottery, building etc.
5. It reveal religious
beliefs of the past man
6. We can compliment
other sources of information through archaeology eg. History
7. We can know the past
relationship between different people such as trading activities, migration,
marriage, birth, death and political relation.
Disadvantages of
Archaeology
1. It consumes time
because of excavation.
2. It can not reveal the
past people’s language.
3. It can not give out
the out reasons for historical events such as wars.
4. It needs full experts
and advanced technology.
5. Poorly interpreted
remains can bring false information
6. It can not tell
anything about the past social organization
4. ARCHIVES
These are places where
collection of public and private documents and old record are preserved. These
documents includes personal letters, early travelers and missionary records,
traders writings, personal and government files, political parties documents,
etc.
Archives
Functions of Archives
1. Archives preserves
public and private records that has enduring value to the society.
2. The records in
archives are made available for use by the public. However not all records can
be viewed by everyone.
3. Archives collect
records of enduring value from various places. For example, the nation archives
have records from different regions of the country.
4. The archives staff
maintains registers of the record in the archives.
5. Archives have
facilities for restoring damaged documents of enduring value.
6. Archives have
facilities for restoring damaged documents of enduring value.
7. The historical
information in the archives ensures continuity. For example, company policies
from previous years can still guide the employee today.
Advantages of Archives
1. Easy to identify
ideas and literacy level of the past man.
2. It is easy to
identify the exact date of historical event.
3. It used to store
historical information.
4. Easy to get
historical information from different places and different people.
Disadvantages of
Archives
1. It may lead false
information, if author is biased.
2. Illiterate people cannot
get historical information.
3. It is not easy to get
information of society whose information are not documented.
4. It is difficult to
get remote information from archives.
5. It is non-renewable
once disrupted either by wind or other external force.
5. MUSEUMS
These are places or
buildings where information and objects are preserved. It involves all terms
which shows culture, political economic and technological development from the
past to the present. Objects can be early coins, clothes, mineral cowries,
religious and ceremonial symbols. Museum can be national,
Regional, District and village. e.g National Museums in Dar es salaam,
Bagamoyo, Butiama, Kalenga Iringa in Tanzania, and Louvre in France.
The Louvre Museum in
France
Functions of Museums
1. Preserve historical
documents and objects.
2. Shows concreate
remains of objects.
3. It is the place for
tourist and study tour.
4. It is the center for
cultural and national identity.
Advantages of Museums
1. It preserves objects
which are used as the teaching aids.
2. Museum preserve
culture and national identity.
3. It used by researcher
(source of information)
4. It acts as tourist
center.
5. People learn about
technological development.
6. Enable learners to
arouse creativity.
Disadvantages of
Museums
1. It need knowledgeable
people.
2. It is possible to
distort information through biases by the museum attendant.
3. Poor preservation of
the past items e.g coins, pieces of cloth, slaves chain can distort
information.
4. It need extensive
care to maintain it’s beauty or origin.
6. WRITTEN RECORDS
Are the documents which
comprise written historical information. These includes books, letters, maps,
magazines, journal, news paper, minutes of meetings and conferences. Written
records can be found in libraries, schools, colleges, universities, internet
cafes, offices etc.
Book, Newspaper and
Magazine, Written Records
Functions of Written
Records
1. Written records
provides pictures of society.
2. These records reflect
public opinion at the time of writing. For example, the letter to the editor in
news paper express the readers’ feelings on current issues.
3. Written records serve
as stores of a large variety of information, including discoveries, government
policies, statements, religious beliefs, fashion, speeches and agreement.
4. In-depth reports of
daily events are kept as written records. For example in a diary, news paper or
biography.
Advantages of Written
Records
1. It is easy to get
information.
2. Easy to make
references
3. It is helpful in
doing researches.
4. They can be kept for
long time.
Disadvantages of
Witten Records
1. It can give false
information if they are biased by the author
2. It is difficult to
read everything from written records
3. They are subject to
be badly written.
4. Illiterate people can
not get information.
7. LINGUISTICS
Is scientific study and
analysis of language. It includes study of sound, structure, information and
relationship between various language groups.
Advantages of Linguistics
1. It helps to get
information from various sources.
2. Enables to discover
links between different people.
3. It helps to determine
dates of historical event e.g “Aluta continua” (Period of struggle for
independence in Mozambique)
Limitations of
Linguistics
1. It consumes time and finance
learning a particular language
2. Through translation
one can commit some important work.
3. The present language
may be corrupted.
8. ANTHROPOLOGY
Is the study of the
society’s cultural systems, beliefs, ideas etc. The study can give important
information about movements, settlements and production activities of the past.
This is concerned with the study of existing social institutions and their relationships.
The scientific study of
the origin, behavior, physical, social and cultural development of humans. The
study is concerned with present day societies but much of it can be used in
interpreting the past especially where we have a good reason to believe on that
societies in certain areas have not altered so much in recent times.
An anthropologist is a
person who studies the above aspects of society; he has to live among those
people and learn their culture thereby enabling him to understand the aspects
of life of a certain society and to determine the truth about that society.
Rock Paintings, Anthropology
Advantages of
Anthropology
1. Helps the historian
to find traces of the past in the present social structures of the society.
Therefore using the current reliable information helps us to understand how the
past was.
2. Helps the historian
to reconstruct the past elements of all cultures. The historian studies the
information and research techniques used by the anthropologist to arrive at a
certain conclusion.
Generally, anthropology enables a comparison of social institutions of
various societies which helps the historian in tracing the original homeland of
social features.
Disadvantages of
Anthropology
1. A comparison of the
social institutions of various societies over a wide area might indicate the influence
of one culture upon another and the time when these cultures developed and
spread which may create misunderstanding and hatred between the different
societies
2. The works of
anthropology are very limited to time and environment. In the present people
may be living in a condition far different from what their ancestors lived; in
the long run the anthropologist will not get the necessary information required
in his study.
3. The knowledge of the
anthropologist in this case is very important as one can easily exaggerate or
underestimate or interpret basing on his knowledge a thing that will affect the
whole process of trying to reconstruct history. This therefore means that
objectivity of history does not mean objectivity of facts but interpretation.
4. This method is too
tiresome. The anthropologist has to live among the people and learn their
culture which enables him to understand all the different aspects of life of a
given society and to determine whether it is authentic and worth studying.
DATING HISTORICAL
EVENTS
The Historians usually
divide time into several categories, namely:
1.
Day – is a duration of twenty four hours (24hrs)
2.
A week – is a duration of seven days (7days)
3.
Month – is the duration of four weeks (4 weeks)
4.
A year – is a duration of twelve months (12 moths)
5.
A decade – is a duration of ten years (10 yrs)
6.
A century – is the duration of one hundred years(100 yrs)
7.
A millennium – is the duration of thousand years(1000 yrs)
8.
A generation – is the average differences on ages between a child
and his/her parent.
9.
Age – is the period based on ma’s economic activities and type of
tools used e.g stone age, iron age, industrial age, science and technology age,
etc.
10. A period – is determined
by one continuous event lasting for number of years, e.g.
Ø Period of slave trade in
East Africa
Ø Period of long distance
trade
Ø Period of colonial rule
in Africa
Some points has chosen in order to divide time
Ø Year ZERO – present the
year when Jesus Christ was born
Ø It is known as Anno
Domino (A.D) meaning the year of the Lord
Ø All years before zero
are called (B.C) meaning (Before Christ)
HOW TO DETERMINE DATES
Dates are the durations
of time in different ways:
The historians divided
dates into four ways;
a) Recalling events:- here important events
are recalled/remembered e.g drought, farming, floods, birth, eruption of
diseases etc.
b) By studying languages:- Some names helps
people to remember dates of some events. e.g Word “Karafuu” started when Cloves
were introduced in Zanzibar.
c) Carbon 14: It is a scientific
method of determining dates. It used in the finding dates forremains of animals
or plants which died beyond 5000 years ago. Carbon 14 is a gas found in
carbon-dioxide which exist in the atmosphere. It absorbed by plant and other
living organisms. When died carbon 14 that starts to decay at a fixed rate from
the time of death.
d) Orders of events: ways showing order of
events, period and ages, among them are:- Time graph, Time chart, Time line and
Family tree
1. Time Graph is a drawing that shows how
dates and events are related.
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1995 |
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1997 |
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1964 |
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1961 |
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1965 |
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Time Graph
2. Time Chart is
a table that shows historical dates and events in the order they
followed.
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PERIOD |
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EVENTS |
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1884 - 1885 |
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The Berlin Conference |
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1905 - 1907 |
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Majimaji War |
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19I9 |
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The beginning of
British rule in Tanganyika |
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1957 |
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Formation of ASP
(Afro-Shiraz Party) |
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1964 |
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Zanzibar Revolution |
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1967 |
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Arusha Declaration |
3. Time Line is a
line along which dates and events are shown in the order they
followed in history.
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BC |
200 |
100 |
0 |
1000 |
1500 |
2000 |
AD |
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Time line
4. Family Tree shows
the relationship between members of a family over a period
of time.
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1940 Paternal Grand Father |
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1944 Paternal Grand Mother |
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1946 Maternal Grand Father |
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1950 Maternal Grand Mother |
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1960 Sara’s Father |
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1970 Sara’s Mother |
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1990 Sara |
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Family Tree
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