Oral History as Farce? - Oral History as a Changing Phenomenon

Abstract

This article attempts to raise some issues in relation to the broader question of oral tradition as a phenomenon that changes in time. Common-sense views on this topic have tended to posit an evolutionary model in terms of which oral forms wither in the face of "stronger" literate forms. By contrast, other views hold that oral tradition - far from waning - thrives on fragments, and that its producers are like bricoleurs who go to work with material originally intended for another purpose. This article assesses these views in relation to a Northern Transvaal case study.

Opsomming
Bepaalde aspekte rakende die grater vraagstuk van orale tradisie, as 'n verskynsel wat gevoelig is vir tydsveranderinge, word in hierdie artikel bespreek. In algemene stand­punte oor hierdie onderwerp word gewoonlik 'n evolusion􀀖re model voorgestaan waar­volgens orale vorme sou kwyn wanneer hulle aan "sterker" geletterde vorme blootgestel word. In teenstelling hiermee word in ander standpunte die mening gehuldig dat die orale tradisie - in plaas daarvan dat dit sou kwyn - juis floreer op fragmente en dat die produseerders daarvan soos bricoleurs te werk gaan, wat gebruik maak van materiaal wat oorspronklik vir iets anders bedoel is. In hierdie artikel word dergelike standpunte na aanleiding van 'n Noord-Transvaalse gevallestudie geevalueer.