As one of the oldest types of historical method that predates the written word, oral history is one type of study and method of “gathering, preserving and interpreting the voices and memories of people, communities, and participants in past events” (more from the Oral History Association in the U.S.). More importantly, oral history is a traditional practice among Sikhs to document our experiences, such as in janamsakhis, parables, and proverbs.

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What makes oral history interviews different from other structured interviews are two things. One, the narrator (you!) have power to control the interview. This is why the team encourages everyone to do a pre-interview before doing a formal interview. Second, the team creates social history by leaning into the fact that the stories we remember are partial and that emotions guide what we remember.