Description
Book SynopsisSince the publication of Vansina's earlier book, oral traditions have now become widely accepted as a legitimate source of history.Although written by a leading historian of Africa, Vansina's work on oral traditions ranges far beyond Africa, so has a wider relevance. Vansina explains not only how oral traditions have been used in the past but also how they should be used by historians in their research. North America: University of Wisconsin Press; Kenya: EAEP
Trade ReviewThis is a completely different book from the original Oral Tradition (1961 and 1966) and hence it is right that it should have a different title. It is also a very much better book than the original, though it does not have the pioneering importance which made the original an academic best-seller ... . It addresses itself directly and without apology to an account of the process by which oral history is produced ... . The result is an enormously more subtle and convincing book than the original ... . Its appeal should not be limited to historians of Africa nor indeed to historians as such since it has very interesting things to say about the structuring of human memory and very effective criticisms to make of structuralism. In short it is a remarkable book. - -- Terence Ranger
It will take its place as the most important treatment of the subject and it will appeal to all historians and social scientists who make use of oral evidence or who feel they ought to do so. - -- A.G. Hopkins, Professor of Economic History in the University of Birmingham
Table of ContentsOral tradition as process - Performance, tradition and text - Getting the message - The message is a social product - The message expresses culture - Tradition as information remembered - Oral tradition assessed
