Oral Traditions as Historical Sources in Southern African Communities: A Theoretical Framework

Oral traditions play a significant role in documenting historical events and cultural practices within Southern African communities, particularly in South Africa. This article employs a conceptual analysis approach to explore how oral traditions are utilised by scholars and community members alike for historical documentation. This theoretical framework underscores the value of oral traditions in complementing written archival materials and provides guidelines for integrating this source material into academic research effectively. Researchers should prioritise engaging with community members to ensure accurate documentation of oral traditions and critically evaluate their reliability as historical sources.