The role of oral history in the research of Alison Des Forges

• Published in: Исторический журнал: научные исследования no. 4; pp. 131 - 144
• Main Author: Yegorov, Denis Ivanovich
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.04.2025
• ISSN: 2454-0609; 2454-0609
• DOI: 10.7256/2454-0609.2025.4.75403

The article presents an analysis of the works of American historian Alison Des Forges, conducted to explore the cognitive possibilities of oral history research practices. The history of Central African states is impossible without the inclusion of oral sources, and although traditional historiography actively relies on them when illuminating the region's characteristics, it remains within the genre of "notebooks of foreigners." Oral tradition, linguistic and everyday specifics, and personal memories have not only served as the empirical basis for Des Forges' research on the history of Rwanda but also provided an "insider's perspective" on the events of the onset of European colonization and the genocide of the Tutsi in 1994. This has allowed for a more complete picture of events, facilitating their perception not as abstract exoticism but as a shared suffering of victims with an awareness of a common historical path. The method of actualization was employed in determining the role of innovative results obtained through oral history methodologies. A retrospective analysis was used to evaluate the validity of the criticisms of outdated concepts and interpretations that arose under the influence of political conjuncture, which were rejected in later studies and did not receive confirmation from eyewitness testimonies. Using Des Forges' works as an example, the heuristic qualities of oral history are examined, allowing for the identification of shortcomings in official versions of events, understanding the emotional aspects of their experiences by participants, utilizing witness testimonies to establish the correct sequence, and determining the subjective motives of the actors involved. As an independent sub-discipline, oral history in Des Forges' research has emerged as a self-sufficient approach to analyzing the causes of the genocide in Rwanda and as an optimally selected form of representation of the tragedy that occurred. The article may be useful in elective courses on oral history to illustrate the successes of this research direction. The popularization of Des Forges' works for a wider readership may be of interest for familiarizing them with the best examples of literature on the history of Rwanda.