The Methodology of Oral History of Sacrifice and Martyrdom

Abolfazl Hasanabadi (PhD)
Translator: Asghar Aboutorabi

2015-8-15

Collection, preservation, and organizing oral history and written documents of the [Iraq-Iran] war in large scale have been one of the priorities of the country[Iran] in last two decades, considering its effects in political, social and cultural aspects and many has entered this realm upon their own needs and definitions. One of the aspects of the documenting the war history is martyrs oral history. In recent years the oral history subjects and recording the memories related to martyrs have been followed by Foundation of Martyrs and Sacrificers Affairs, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC), Iranian Army, Foundation for Preservation and Publication of Sacred Defense Works and Values and even some military divisions and brigades, organizationally or voluntarily. Reviewing the works shows that the overall look to oral history of sacrifice and martyrdom is a general, propagandistic and organizational one with preset goals, which lacks a national look to gather and organize information for the future generations. Here one can ask whether there is any clear-cut policy for these centers or not. What is the relationship between anticipations and the realities in performing these duties? How much interaction is there between necessities, goals and society needs with organizational demands and policies? Is there any criterion to evaluate the authenticity of the projects performed in oral history of sacrifice and martyrdom? For sure, the answer can evolve the performance of these centers.

The 9^th professional session of Iranian Oral History and its main subjects was one of the best actions taken in evaluating the conditions of oral history of sacrifice and martyrdom. Valuable articles in different subjects were presented in this session in which the most prominent oral history experts and also the active centers were present. The result was published as a collection of articles called “Oral History of Sacrifice and Martyrdom” (articles presented in the ninth professional session and the educational workshop of oral history), including 34 articles in the main part and 14 articles in its appendix. This session was held in March 2015 by the document center of the Foundation of Martyrs and Sacrificers Affairs and Iranian Society of Oral History. Although some notes have been published to introduce this collection, bellow is a list of its most important characteristics which deserves the attention of the activists:

• This collection is the result of the first overall scientific gathering in oral history of sacrifice and martyrdom which includes the professional look of the experts and active centers.
• The pathology and criticism of the pervious published works are notable, especially in the articles of the appendix part.
• The overall failure of Iranian oral history in theorizing, especially in this field is completely visible and some of the articles can help to create a methodology in future projects.
•  The intelligence and dominance of Alireza Kamari in final evaluating and creating the collection have been much influential in harmonizing the meanings and arranging the books.
• The use of oral history experts views who have been less involved in oral history of sacrifice and martyrdom can pave the road for more evolutions in this realm.
• This session was a good place to discover the result of endeavors of the old activists of this field, whose articles have been less set forth.
• Propounding some subjects in oral history of sacrifice and martyrdom that has been less attended by now, is another important aspect of this session.

I would like to propose this book to be reviewed and discussed in professional sessions and some of the most important theories posed, to be used as a strategic document for evolving the oral history of sacrifice and martyrdom.