SOURCES AND IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY

Meaning and Importance of History

Background of the topic

History is an academic subject taught as part of a primary and secondary education. This chapter tackles the significance of history as a discipline in both primary and secondary levels. It gives the basics of history and lays a solid foundation of this subject. It traces the different definitions of history, the importance of studying history as a subject as well as the different ways by which information that constitutes history is obtained.

The Meaning of History

Explain the meaning of History

Definitions of history

Various definitions have been put forward to define history as a discipline some of them are:

·         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 analyse 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.

The Importance of Studying History

Explain the importance of studying History

Studying history is important because it allows us 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.

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.

Develop an understanding and appreciation of the cultural, political, economic and technological advancements made by African societies before and after colonial ruler-ship.

Developthebasic 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 neo-colonialism

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.

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.

Develop our patriotism, history students know their heroes and heroines and traitors. This make history a sensitive subject in places where political leaders are not sure of their legitimacy.

Enlightens 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

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.

Helps us learn about technological transformations, for example primitive livelihood to advanced livelihood (using of stones and wood tools to iron tools)

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.

Understand the relationship that existed between humans, and between humans and the environment.

Acquire skills in historical issues and becoming professionals in history, some people such as archaeologists and historians study history for career purposes. 

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SOURCES AND IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY

Meaning of history

History is the study of man and his activities in different times. These activities enable man to obtain his needs. Man’s basic needs are food, cloths, and shelter 

In general history can also refer to an academic discipline which uses a narrative to examine and analyse 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 History of studying history.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Develop an understanding and appreciation of the cultural, political, economic and technological advancements made by African societies before and after colonial rulership.

4. 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 neo-colonialism

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Develop our patriotism, history students know their heroes and heroines and traitors. This make history a sensitive subject in places where political leaders are not sure of their legitimacy.

8. Enlightens 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

9. 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.

10. Helps us learn about technological transformations, for example primitive livelihood to advanced livelihood (using of stones and wood tools to iron tools)

11. 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.

12. Understand the relationship that existed between humans, and between humans and the environment.

13. Acquire skills in historical issues and becoming professionals in history, some people such as archaeologists and historians study history for career purposes.

      SOURCES OF HISTORY

Sources of history refers 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: 

·         Oral tradition

·         Historical sites

·         Written records/documents

·         Archives

·         Museums

·         Archeology

·         Audio- visual record, e.g Cassets, Cd’s, Tv programs etc.

·         Anthropology

·         Linguistics

          ORAL TRADITION

This involves the passing information by word of mouth through talking and listening.

Oral tradition pass historical information into two ways

1.      Through culture practices like art, music, religion, riddles, songs, proverbs, superstition, poems and stories.

2.      Narration of past events.

FUNCTION OF ORAL TRADITION

1.      It preserves historical information of society

2.      I t collects and pass historical information between generations in the society.

3.      It helps researchers in data collection.

 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.

1.      They comprise man’s physical development, tools that were made and used from time to time.

2.      In these areas we find /see past human products and animal bones. Example of historical sites include Isimila, Olduvai George, Kondoa Irangi, Bagamoyo, Zanzibar, Kilwa, Mafia, Engaruka, Kagera etc in Tanzania.

Nsongezi, Biggo, Ntubi, Rusinga island, Magosi and Ishago in Uganda.

Lake Rudolf(Turkana), Lake Naivasha, Njoro, Olongesailie, Lake Magadi, Lamu, Mombasa and mt. Kenya in Kenya.

FUNCTIONS OF HISTORICAL SITES 

1.      Preserves historical information for the coming generations.

2.      They are useful sources of information and to reconstruct history.

3.      They are the symbols of social cultural heritage to the society concern past human tools, rock, paints et c.

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 involves the use of carbon 14 dating to determine plants and animal remains.

 
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.

  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.

 FUNCTIONS OF ARCHIVES

(a)                Archives preserves public and private records that has enduring value to the society.

(b)               The records in archives are made available for use by the public.

               However not all records can be viewed by everyone.

(c)                Archives collect records of enduring value from various places.

            For example, the nation archives have records from different  

            regions of the country.

(d)               The archives staff maintains registers of the record in the archives.

(e)                Archives have facilities for restoring damaged documents of enduring value.

(f)                Archives have facilities for restoring damaged documents of enduring value.

(g)               The historical information in the archives ensures continuity. For example,   company policies from previous years can still guide the employee today.

 MUSEUMS 
  Museum can be national, Regional, District and village. e.g National Museums in Dar es salaam, Bagamoyo, Butiama, Kalenga Iringa.

FUNCTIONS OF MUSEUMS 

1.      Preserve historical documents and objects.

2.      Shows concrete remains of objects.

3.      It is the place for tourist and study tour.

4.      It is the center for cultural and national identity.

 WRITTEN RECORDS

 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.

FUNCTIONS OF WRITTEN RECORDS 

(a)                Written records provides pictures of society.

(b)               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.

(c)                Written records serve as stores of a large variety of information, including discoveries, government policies, statements, religious beliefs, fashion, speeches and agreement.

(d)               In-depth reports of daily events are kept as written records. For example in a diary, news paper or biography.

    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 help to determine dates f historical event e.g “Aluta continua” (Period of struggle for independence in Mozambique)

        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.

DATING HISTORICAL EVENTS

Historian usually divide time into several categories, namely

·         Day – is a duration of twenty four hours (24hrs)

·         A week – is a duration of seven days (7days)

·         Month – is the duration of four weeks (4 weeks)

·         A year – is a duration of twelve months (12 moths)

·         A decade – is a duration of ten years (10 yrs)

·         A century – is the duration of one hundred years(100 yrs)

·         A millennium – is the duration of thousand years(1000 yrs)

·         A generation – is the average differences on ages between a child and his/her parent.

·         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.