The prevailing understanding of historical archives is often constrained to their written form, thereby limiting the interpretation of their significance to a relatively limited scope. Archives must be comprehended in a more extensive manner, one that acknowledges the credibility of oral sources as legitimate depictions of bygone realities, which are often disregarded. This initiative was undertaken to address these challenges through a workshop on oral history approaches and methodologies. The objective of oral history is to collect, archive, and interpret the narratives and memories of individuals or communities who have experienced past events. This form of historical inquiry can be considered the oldest, as it predates the advent of writing, while also being highly contemporary in its approach and methods. The efficacy of oral history lies in its capacity to offer firsthand accounts from historical actors, particularly in circumstances where written documentation is either inaccessible or deficient.

In Indonesia, the oral history approach is particularly relevant for recording the experiences of many important figures or events that rarely leave written records. A substantial proportion of figures, historical actors, and local (even national) historical events remain inadequately documented in written sources. A number of recent studies have confirmed that oral history is an approach and technique that can be used for knowledge production. Furthermore, oral history plays an important role in preserving the collective memory of society.

The collective memory of societies encompasses a myriad of historical events, including the recollections of survivors of natural disasters and acts of violence. The inaugural Summer Course on Oral History has been meticulously designed to encompass two distinct areas of field studies. This study aims to understand how survivors perceive natural disasters, such as the Mount Kelud eruption, how they adapt and live in the volatile geology with their local knowledge, and the factors that influence their decision to remain in these vulnerable areas. Finally, this summer course endeavors to offer an alternative perspective on ethnic violence, particularly that perpetrated against the Chinese population, in Malang during the Indonesian Revolution.

The first summer course that will be organized by the Department of History at Universitas Negeri Malang, aspires to function as a catalyst for discourse and innovation among individuals engaged in the construction of local knowledge and the establishment of memory. This undertaking encompasses a diverse array of professionals, including Historians, Students History, Psychologists, Geographers, Communication Specialists, Sociologists, Anthropologists, Activist Communities, Indigenous Community Institutions, and numerous other stakeholders. Finally, the investigation will proceed to explore how the landscapes of memory can function as a fundamental element in the formation of alternative memories within contemporary Indonesian societies, with a particular focus on the city of Malang in East Java.

• Introduce oral history concepts and approaches: Providing an initial understanding of the definition history and role of oral history in historiography
• Understanding the methods and technique of oral history: Explaining the stages of oral history research, from selecting informants and preparing for interviews to data processing and analysis.
• Conducting oral history interview practice: Training participants to conduct direct interviews with informants and simulate interviews, using appropriate techniques.
• Holding discussions and evaluations: Providing a discussion forum to discuss field interviews results, as well as reflection on the methods and approaches used.
• Building a network of oral history researchers: Encouraging collaboration and communication between participants and informants to strengthen professional networks and research.

Scope of Activities

This summer course includes a series of activities as follows:

• Class Lectures: Material Sessions by key speakers on the basics of oral history theory and approaches.
• Oral history method training:  Intensive workshops on interview planning, oral research ethics, use of recording devices, and documentation technique.
• Field Practice: Hands-on activities in the field where participants conduct oral history interviews with selected interviewer.
• Discussion of interview results: Presentation sessions and group discussions on findings or challenges encountered in the field practice.
• Networking session: discussion and follow-up on the results of the oral history summer course.

• The program will be conducted in English and Bahasa Indonesia;
• Only around 20 students will be selected for this summer course;
• The commitment fee for this program is Rp 100.000,- and payable upon acceptance announcement;
• The organizer will contact the accepted participants through the email address provided;
• The organizer will not provide accommodation (lodging) and transportation for participants.

The summer course on oral history is organized by the History Department of the Universitas Negeri Malang in collaboration with KITLV Leiden Netherlands, NIOD Netherlands, UGM Yogyakarta, Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana Salatiga, Curtin University Australia, Universitas Negeri Medan, Universitas Brawijaya, dan Akademi Ilmuwan Muda Indonesia (ALMI).

Image: Olieverfschildering voorstellend het Tenggergebergte nabij de dessa Tumpang, Malang door M.E.H.R. van den Kerkhoff, 1898 (https://geheugen.delpher.nl/)