H3511HH History: Concepts and Tools

Assignment 3 Historical Sources, Concepts and Tools

Student name: Maria Andreas
Student number: 222112352
Student email: mariaandreasniia@gmail.com
Lecturer: Dr E. Haitengi
Due date: 24 May 2024
Marks and lecturer’s comments (for lecturer’s use only):

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Question 1

In the foreground of the photograph, three people in their youths are captured in a moment of
urgency. The dynamic posture suggests they are running, evident by one leg trailing behind the
other and the gap between their feet. Among them, one appears injured, supported by a boy
whose shirt is stained with what looks like blood, also visible on the younger boy’s hands and
mouth. The expressions on their faces show, fear and distress, showing a situation of alarm.

The girl’s hand is raised, in a gesture that often signifies a call for help or an attempt to navigate
the situation. The time of day is inferred to be afternoon, as their shadows stretch towards the
right, suggesting the sun is low in the western sky.

In the background of the photograph structures and characteristics of a township fill the scene.
There is a residential area and houses seem to be in a linear pattern. In the far background, a
woman stands outside, her attention drawn away from the camera’s focus, adding to the curiosity
of the situation. It’s unclear what has captured her gaze, leaving the viewer to ponder the broader
context of this snapshot.

Question 2

The poster dated 24th July 1769 contains an advertisement of a slave auction from the siblings
David and John Deas. Ninety-four black enslaved individuals from Sierra Leon will be sold at
the auction. The auction is scheduled to take place in Charlestown on Thursday the third of
August ( 3rd August 1769). The slaves will be transported in the Brigantine Dembia, captained by
Francis Bare. Among them thirty-nine are men, fifteen boys, twenty-four women and sixteen
girls.

The poster describes the slaves as “prime and healthy”, this suggests that they were considered
valuable commodities for potential buyers. The word “Negroes” was an offensive term used on
black people. The poster also contains drawings of two muscular black people, they have
minimal clothing tied round their waist, a detail that may suggest African heritage.

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Question 3

The letter dated 20th May 1892 is from Captain Hendrik Witbooi to Hermann. Captain Hendrik
Witbooi considers Hermann his friend although, they have never met in person. He wrote the
letter to advise Hermann not to live in Nomtsas.

Captain Hendrik Witbooi wrote that he had found out that Hermann had an intention to live in
Nomtsas. Captain Hendrik Witbooi expresses disbelief that Hermann would consider such a
move, which would be contrary to his interests. He clearly states his opposition to Hermann
living in Nomtsas and starting significant projects there, hinting that the land may be needed for
some of his people.

Captain Hendrik Witbooi wants Hermann to understand his position. If Hermann refuses to leave
Nomtsas, then he will have to make a decision not as his friend but as a leader to his people.
Witbooi justifies that he has no bad intentions towards Hermann, he simply wants to prevent
unnecessary trouble and expenses related to extensive work on the ground. The letter ends with
warm regards from Captain Hendrik Witbooi.

Question 4

Oral traditions have been questioned for mainly three reasons authenticity, interpretation and
preservation. The status and authenticity of oral tradition have been questioned for reliable
historical sources.

Firstly, oral traditions are challenging due to their authenticity. Authenticity refers to the extent or
impression to which readers believe that a presentation is true. Most historians who use oral
traditions in their research fail to share original evidence used in their research with other
scholars. Oral tradition is not tangible, so it is unverifiable to people who were not present during
the interview for example. Written sources of information can be cross-checked for their
information, oral traditions on the other hand are impossible to verify. Due to the information

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being unverified, it can be subjected to misinterpretation or bias. This can be misleading to the
people reading the sources.

Secondly, the issue of memory makes oral traditions unreliable. The older people get the more
they forget, in the process information gets distorted, exaggerated or even lost. Humans are also
subjected to their natural and social environment, so the way oral traditions are narrated by one
informant is different from the other. For example, someone who was subjected to abuse will
narrate the event from the view of abuse, it might be difficult for this informant to be unbiased.
Informants also change their views or forget aspects of the information transmitted before or they
may even die.

Oral traditions can be distorted. Oral traditions might have some truth but the information is
often changed internally or unintentionally from one generation to another. The game of
telephone, where someone starts by whispering a word to the next person, who then whispers it
to the next person in line until the last person announces the message to the group. Is a good
demonstration of how quickly a message can change when passed on from one person to another
and how inaccurate oral traditions can be. The new generation might have a different message
from the older generation, which makes information unreliable.

Last but not least, Oral traditions cannot be dated. Establishing the right date or chronology of
oral traditions can be difficult or unsuccessful. Without dating it is impossible to determine the
chronological order, timeline and connections of events. Another challenge in dating is that, oral
traditions are not tangible, so this makes it impossible to date them. Historical sources need to be
dated.

Oral traditions enrich our understanding of history with personal narratives and cultural depth.
Despite challenges in authenticity, preservation and lack of dating, they provide a unique insight
into our past. While oral traditions are criticized their value lies in the richness of personal and
cultural heritage portrayed in them. During the study of the stories, we must strive to balance
respect for oral traditions.

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Question 5

Many events happen, but only some are recognized as historically significance. Historical
significance refers to the importance of an event. To determine significance historians consider
factors such as novelty, applicability, memory and effect. This question determine the criteria for
historical significance with reference to His Excellency Dr. Sam Nujoma.

Novelty pertains to the uniqueness of an event or person. If an event is unprecedented or occurs

in a new manner it is considered important. Dr Sam Nujoma is historically significant due to the
novel role he played in Namibia. He was the first black president of Namibia and the inaugural
president of the South West Africa Peoples Organization, upon leaving office in 2005 he was
referred to as the “founding father of Namibia”. Apart from the offices the occupied, Dr. Sam
Nujoma also promoted reconciliation during the early years of independence. This is one of the
factors that has made Namibia a politically stable country, which makes him a unique figure in
society.

Applicability examines how the past relates to the present and future situations. When a certain
event occurs in the present, people often look at the past for precedents. Sam Nujoma played a
significant role in Namibian’s liberation struggle, co-founding SWAPO and leading negotiations
with South Africa. His efforts contributed to building an independent Namibia, and his leadership
is recognized internationally. He applies to the present due to his wisdom, knowledge and
strategic leadership, which can be applied in the present. Dr. Nujoma’s approach to international
diplomacy has led to the recognition of Namibia and its people. This makes him a highly
recognized representative of the Namibian people.

Events and people become historically significant when they are remembered in a particular way.
Memory ensures that events and individuals are remembered over time. Sam Nujoma’s legacy is
preserved through statues at Heroes’ Acre, Omgulumbashe memorial site and Independence
Museum in Windhoek. He is widely known and many towns have main streets named after him.
The Namibian bank notes carry a portrait of Dr. Sam Nujoma and his picture is hanging in all

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public offices. Dr. Sam Nujoma's memory will be everlasting, due to the many efforts placed to
remember him.

Effects measure the impact on people. The more individuals are affected by an event or person,
the greater its significance. Dr. Nujoma's fight for Namibia's independence and against apartheid
laws has had a lasting impact. Namibia's independence and the freedoms enjoyed by its citizens
today, such as freedom of movement and the right to vote, are partly due to his efforts. During
his presidency, Dr. Nujoma established a stable political system and advanced the socio-
economic development of Namibia. This made a huge impact on the livelihood of the Namibian
people.

In conclusion, the concept of historical significance is a multifaceted lens through which we view
the past. It allows us to know the events and individuals that have shaped our present and will
influence our future. Sam Nujoma’s role in Namibia’s history exemplifies this, as his actions
resonate through the nation’s collective memory and continue to impact its socio-political
landscape. Reflecting on such historical figures, reminds us that history is not just a record of the
past but a narrative that informs our identity and aspirations.