Micro Oral History

Morteza Nourayi (PhD)
Translated by Natalie Haghverdian

2018-6-19

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The development of the humanities influenced by necessities in the bout of time and as a result is updated and still in need of further development. The postmodern trend is like a mill that, in its own words, sets the prose and narratives in the field of human sciences in small, but effective, attractive and engaging pieces with due consideration of the capabilities, talent and pace of the current generation. History has become responsive in its progressive move in any direction. If its mission, which is "to promote citizenship", is disrupted, it becomes self-disruptive and takes the path of inefficiency: disgrace and non-originality.

The attractiveness, pace and precision of production of history with respect to its impact and mission has to be continuously reviewed, re-written and monitored. Oral history in every aspect has moved towards essentials. However, these essentials are not static and progress continuously necessitating the previous solutions to be changed and transformed. Hence, this article intends to present micro oral historiography to be applied in oral historiography to avoid regression and to employ researchers and enthusiasts to take one step ahead.

Principles of Micro Historiography

1. Limited subjects (single aspect), in other words, one-dimensional or single-variable and limited subject are top of this historiographical approach.
2. An insignificant event or incident disregarded in major historical studies which contain answers to major historical questions: “Fist of the pile!”
3. Subjects or topics disregarded intentionally or otherwise in ideological or political discourses. In fact, subjects that constitute the sidelines of formal and semi-formal discussions which are constantly put on hold of “it is not yet important”.
4. The focus of micro historiography in on social elements and incidents, on individuality in the two paths of pluralism and singularization of history.

It seems that these principles in the field of oral history can function and become a point of departure. Undoubtedly, oral history takes measures in this regard, but the point is that the tendency towards important topics and prominent features in the current research trends, paves the way for an attractive study only for important scholars. Oral History Tribune is for ordinary people; however, how much do they share in the current topics of oral history in Iran? In other words, it's important to turn to topics and people with lesser importance. People who have and still live in the past, those who are not bound to historical basic or metanarratives which fit the ideological criteria to be studied. They poses an independent character and are self-aware actors painting their own faith by taking active role in the path. In such cases, the micro historical elements do not concur historical impositions or presence of minor factors in the past of the narrator shall have no role in the path of “comprehensive historical cycle”.

Micro historiography in various dimensions and in line with one another produces a specific kind of material:

Subject: Relatively limited and small subjects are of significant abundance. Due to lack of allocated study funds or educational plans such subjects are put on hold. Hence, this field of historiography is specially recommended to volunteers and amateurs in the field. It is for this very reason that such topics might be produced to be generalized in historical studies based on credible resources but outside the dominant outlines of current proses.

Methodology: Currently, micro historiography is a common practice amongst the general population in their spare time. It does not seem that the rich texts and thinking and reasoning are specific to a particular group. Every one might be the audience of the author. The hard core of history is morale; hence any mechanism to with the general audience is effective in realizing the targeted goal. Major projects require time and effort which are admirable. Today, there is abundance of attractive readings. Hence, short articles are recommended characteristics. Indeed, even is such short articles the path and current scholar methodology shall be maintained. Micro-historiography shall not comprise insufficiency but limitation in content production is the essence of single-syllables articles. Also, social subjects required the knowledge and dominance of the author. For instance, the oral history of the bus passengers travelling from Imam Hossein Sq. to Azadi Sq. in Tehran are recorded and documented. The tool is the cellphone recording the dispersed and accidental conversations of passengers talking about the traffic and comparing it to a specific period of time; this requires an open questionnaire package, ample interviewees of various age groups and a complex interview room. There are scholars who have conducted their studies in such environments and plenty of material might be produced in this way. Do such attempts require specific time allocation?

Tools: The tools and mechanisms to collect information remain unified however considering the pace and abundance of micro subjects to be studied time is an essential element and any tool and equipment might be employed for targeted record of memoirs. Today, we are all equipped with recording devices. Technology along with the documented approach of the historians shall effectively record and highlight every minor aspect. On the other hand spontaneous recording makes it real. Microphones might be provided to all anywhere. The subject and the environment are not staged. It is to capture the topic which in turn makes the scholar the prey of the subject. This is essential in our time. Improvising attracts audience. However, in such improvisations, the historical research approach and methodology is maintained to avoid nonsense. This approach interacts closely with journalism and repertoire with historical origins. The snowball or cluster approaches are far more effective. Rapid recording devises are in place.[1]