Tropical war stories: preserving oral histories from World War II Borneo

Marles, Janet E., Bin Haji Jukim, Maslin, and Dhont, Frank (2016) Tropical war stories: preserving oral histories from World War II Borneo. Etropic: electronic journal of studies in the tropics, 15 (2). pp. 82-94.

[img] PDF (Published Version) - Published Version
Restricted to Repository staff only

View at Publisher Website: https://journals.jcu.edu.au/etropic/arti...
 
8


Abstract

Traditional historical texts predominantly rely on written sources, yet oral accounts add specificity and personal depth to written narratives, particularly where written sources are sparse or unable to provide a comprehensive account of an era. This paper describes a video archive from the tropical island of Borneo. Created with graduate students from Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam across diverse language groups, this oral history project provides an archival database of first person interviews with witnesses to the Japanese occupation of Malaysian Borneo during World War II. These stories add texture and nuance to the current historical narrative, particularly for young Borneans unaware of the turbulent experiences their forebears endured during that period. The archive contributes in many unique ways to the traditional historical record and offers numerous opportunities for further research.

Item ID: 46738
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1448-2940
Keywords: Japanese occupation, Brunei darussalam, Borneo, World War II, oral history, archival data creation, intergenerational collaborative practice
Additional Information:

Open Access Policy: This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.

Date Deposited: 13 Feb 2017 06:06
FoR Codes: 47 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 4702 Cultural studies > 470202 Asian cultural studies @ 100%
SEO Codes: 95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9599 Other Cultural Understanding > 959999 Cultural Understanding not elsewhere classified @ 100%
Downloads: Total: 8
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page