Introduction To Oral History:

Oral history records and documents the history and intangible heritage of the United Arab Emirates through oral narratives and firsthand accounts stored in the memories of elderly people and witnesses to the times. Oral history monitors historical events and lifestyles in the past to preserve the material and moral characteristics of the UAE society for future generations by conducting audio and video interviews, which are subsequently classified and indexed to enrich the National Library and Archives’ holdings.

Oral History Objectives:

• Document the narrators’ oral memory, which constitutes a historical reference supported with their voices and expressions.
• Write down and record the chronology of historical events as the narratives of those people are important in documenting the events that have not been discussed in foreign documents.
• Enrich the holdings of the National Library and Archives, establish a database and preserve oral history interviews so that they can be used by researchers and scholars.
• Bring forward historical materials and introduce youngsters with these materials along with the lifestyles and stages of development all over the UAE before and after the establishment of the Union.

Oral History Output:

• Publishing the historical, cultural and heritage output in the form of publications, books and smart applications.
• Presenting the narrator’s historical role as a witness to the times.
• Supporting researchers in their investigations of documents and verifying them against the oral narratives of those who witnessed the events; since they are the memory and the history of the nation.
• Promoting national identity, pride in the homeland’s achievements and reinforcing the sense of loyalty and belonging.
• Positively influencing family and social bonds.
• Introducing the UAE values, principles, customs and traditions.