Historical Narrative Research Articles

Adapting European heritage: Bernardine Evaristo’s Soul Tourists (2005) and Omar Victor Diop’s Project Diaspora (2014)

ABSTRACT This article considers how the novel Soul Tourists (2005) by the British writer Bernardine Evaristo and the series Project Diaspora: a Journey through Time (2014) by the Senegalese photographer Omar Victor Diop critically intervene in and contribute to ongoing conversations about how ‘Europe’ is conceptualized. By adapting historical narratives and by playing with genre conventions, Evaristo and Diop shed light on historical perspectives and interpretations of Europe that have remained obscured. Most important with regard to the European public sphere, Soul Tourists and Project Diaspora adapt the category of ‘European heritage’. Artistically re-narrating the stories of Black people in Europe, Evaristo and Diop establish geographical and historical dialogues between Europe, Africa and the African Diaspora that re-write European heritage and that deconstruct the prevailing narrative of Europe as White. While their works could be said to ‘Africanize’ the categories of ‘European heritage’ and ‘Europe’, ‘Afro(euro)pean heritage’ and ‘Afroeurope’ are not the end-goal. Rather, by adapting categories that many Europeans continue to conceive as universals, Evaristo and Diop reveal received understandings of these categories as racialized particulars.

The Malaysian Social Contract: A Historical Perspective

This paper delves into the concept of social contract, a framework rooted in the diverse theories pioneered by Western philosophers, to expound on the unique facets of the Malaysian social contract. This concept elucidates different forms of agreement between the people and the ruler in establishing an organised society. Unique and central to Malaysia, this contract involves traditional elements integral to the Malay establishment, encompassing Islam, the Malay language, the special position of the natives and the institution of Malay rulers in addition to citizenship rights for qualified individuals. To comprehend the distinctiveness of the Malaysian social contract, it is imperative to explore its historical context, tracing back the compromise forged among the inter-ethnic groups towards the independence of the Federation of Malaya. This historical narrative reveals that the post-World War II is Malaysia’s state of nature. However, the Malaysian social contract extends beyond understanding and consensus of inter-ethnic groups namely the Malays and the non-Malays. It also incorporates the agreement between the populace as a whole and the sovereign Malay rulers. Enshrined in the Federal Constitution, traditional elements and balancing provisions ensure compliance with the mutually agreed-upon social contract for both the Malays and the non-Malays.

Uncovering the Past: DNA Analysis of Skeletal Remains from the Medieval Bosnian City of Bobovac

Numerous archaeological sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina represent a historical heritage and testify to the rich cultural, social, and political life of medieval Bosnia. Bobovac, the capital of the Bosnian Kingdom after King Tvrtko I's coronation in 1377, featured a royal complex with a palace, church, and fortification. Recent molecular-genetic research on skeletal remains from Bobovac aims to uncover medieval ancestors' customs and genetic origins. Fifteen well-preserved teeth samples from Bobovac were processed. STR amplification employed PowerPlex® Fusion and Investigator® 24plex QS Kits, with Y-STR profiles generated using the PowerPlex® Y23 System. Fourteen partial autosomal STR profiles were obtained, enabling sex determination and kinship analysis. STR amplification success varied due to ancient DNA degradation, with larger loci showing lower amplification rates. Kinship analysis confirmed appropriate marker selection, demonstrating high reliability for determining close relationships. Integrating aDNA analysis with archaeological research enhances our understanding of historical populations, connecting archaeology and forensic genetics to contribute to the broader narrative of human history.

Научные школы на рубеже XX–XXI вв.: разработка истории предпринимательства дореволюционной Сибири

The exploration of scientific schools focusing on the history of entrepreneurship in pre-revolutionary Siberia stands as a crucial endeavor at the intersection of historical research and economic studies. This article delves into the conceptual frameworks and methodological approaches employed by researchers to illuminate the multifaceted dynamics of entrepreneurial activities in Siberia during the late XX and early XXI centuries. Drawing on principles of holism, integrity, historicism, and a value-based approach, scientists have embarked on a comprehensive examination of the historical trajectory of entrepreneurship in Siberia. By integrating insights from various disciplines, including history, economics, and sociology, researchers aim to provide a nuanced understanding of the socio-economic landscape of the region. Utilizing a diverse array of methodological tools, such as comparative-historical analysis, concrete examination, retrospective study, and historical-typological analysis, scientists have endeavored to unravel the complexities of entrepreneurial endeavors in Siberia. Through meticulous archival research and interdisciplinary engagement, researchers have shed light on the activities of merchants across different industries and their impact on the socio-cultural fabric of the region. This article underscores the significance of studying scientific communities dedicated to the history of entrepreneurship in Siberia. By acknowledging the contributions of researchers and elucidating their role in shaping historical narratives, this research aims to highlight the richness and diversity of scientific endeavors in Russian historiography. In conclusion, the study of scientific schools focusing on the history of entrepreneurship in pre-revolutionary Siberia represents a vital aspect of historical scholarship. By embracing interdisciplinary perspectives and methodological pluralism, researchers continue to uncover new insights into the economic, social, and cultural dimensions of entrepreneurial activities in Siberia, thereby enriching our understanding of this pivotal period in Russian history.

Microhistory, Archaeological Record, and the Subaltern Debris

Abstract This article explores the challenges of translating the empirical data recorded in the microhistorical events documented in most archaeological sites into narratives that provide a deeper understanding of long-term historical processes. It specifically focuses on the importance of studying the history of subaltern communities through this microhistorical scale. Drawing on the concept of “subaltern debris,” the article proposes a new approach to analyzing archaeological deposits generated by the everyday life of subaltern communities. It argues that these deposits can offer valuable insights into the living conditions and agency of subaltern communities. The article presents two case studies from the late antique period in the Iberian Peninsula to illustrate the potential of this approach. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of recognizing the material agency of subaltern communities in reshaping historical narratives.

Challenges of Conflicting Memories in Oral History Narratives: A Conversation with Troy Phili on Building Charlotte Maxeke’s Biography

This paper is presented in the form of an interview, encompassing the key voice of Troy Phili, the former Unit Manager for Burial Grounds and Graves, at South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) between 2005-2013. The paper aims to highlight the distortions in the profiling of Charlotte Maxeke and how this could lead to misrepresentations of her unique role in the struggle. From an oral history perspective, an interview with Troy Phili contributes to the correction of such distortions. Thus, the paper is embedded in this oral testimony. The interview emphasized oral history as a means of correcting historical distortions, as was the case of Troy while working towards the declaration of Maxeke’s gravesite as a national heritage site. This paper also relied on desktop analysis of both primary and secondary sources of data. The authors perceive these tendencies not as seeking to downplay Maxeke’s catalytic life, but how oral history as methodology and technique can be used to rectify historical misrepresentations. The paper contributes to the correction of distortions of representations of Maxeke during the declaration of her gravesite. This adds to the understanding of the historical declaration of gravesites in historicizing the role played by individuals such as Maxeke in South Africa. Keywords: Charlotte Maxeke, Conflicting Memories, Oral History, Liberation History, SAHRA, Social History, Phili Troy

The Fruit of Contradiction: Reading Durian through a Cultural Phytosemiotic Lens

Distinctive for its pungent and oftentimes rotten odor, the thorny fruit of durian (Durio spp.) is considered a delicacy throughout Asia. Despite its burgeoning global recognition, durian remains a fruit of contradiction—desirable to some yet repulsive to others. Although regarded commonly as immobile, mute, and insentient, plants such as durian communicate within their own bodies, between the same and different species, and between themselves and other life forms. As individuals and collectives, plants develop modes of language—or phytodialects—that are specific to certain contexts. Focused on vegetal semiosis or sign processes, a phytosemiotic lens views plants as dynamic and expressive subjects positioned within lifeworlds. Absent from phytosemiotic theory, however, are the cultural sign processes that take place within and between plants—what I call cultural phytosemiotics. The framework I propose calls attention to the interlinked biological, ecological, and cultural dimensions of signification between plants and non-plants. From a phytosemiotic standpoint, this article examines historical, cinematographic, and literary narratives of durian. Reflecting the fruit’s divisive sensory effects, historical accounts of Durio by Niccolò de’ Conti, Jan Huyghen van Linschoten, Georg Eberhard Rumphius, and William Marsden alternate between praise and disdain. Moreover, films such as Fruit Chan’s Durian Durian (2000) and Anthony Chen’s Wet Season (2019) narrativize the polarities that similarly figure into historical depictions of the species. Literary narratives, including the poems “Durians” (2005) by Hsien Min Toh and “Hurling a Durian” (2013) by Sally Wen Mao, investigate the language of durian’s olfactory and gustatory sensations. Along a continuum between adoration to revulsion, durian embodies the otherness of vegetal being. In an era of rampant biodiversity loss, learning to embrace botanical difference should be a human imperative.

All Aboard the Nascopie: Image-Making, Colonial Modernity, and Coastal Memory in the Canadian Eastern Arctic

Between 1912 and 1947, when it sank, the icebreaker the RMS Nascopie, a British-made vessel commissioned by the HBC to be used as a supply ship, serviced the eastern Canadian Arctic. For an eight-year period during this time it also counted tourists among its passengers, alongside HBC personnel, missionaries, medical practitioners, scientists, and government officials. Life aboard the ship, wildlife, sea ice, inclement weather, and Inuit were all documented in the reports, written diaries, and visual records that emanated from the Nascopie as it operated under the many, often contradictory, guises of icebreaker, supply vessel, cruise ship, and sovereign symbol. Looking across photography, painting, and printmaking during the 1930s through to the present day, I consider the Nascopie as an anchor between the visual arts and the coastal landscape. Here, I position Inuit and non-Inuit perceptions of cultural and environmental change and continuity along Canada’s coastline within the transformative effect of colonial modernity. Image-making, notably photography and painting, aboard the Nascopie sought to reproduce the Canadian Arctic as an object of collective history and national identity. Confronting the often-anonymous Inuit and Arctic environments throughout the photography and painting of Lorene Squire and F.H. Varley, I identify how the Nascopie, as a colonial actor in the local landscape, persists in contemporary Inuit visual and cultural memory, most notably in the work of Shuvinai Ashoona. By untangling the inter-media and multi-temporal role of the Nascopie across past and present image cultures, I explore the intertwined narratives of coastal history, visual culture, and colonial modernity in the eastern Canadian Arctic.

ON THE PROBLEM OF THE FORMATION OF THE OLD RUSSIAN BOOK TOPIC

One of the characteristic features of the poetics of medieval texts is the widespread use of traditional phrases and semantic commonplaces, which have been considered from different positions by medievalists since the beginning of the 20th century. Already in The Tale of Bygone Years (the oldest Russian chronicle) these elements of poetics are clearly revealed, although the genre design of the historical narrative at this early stage is not yet completed. The answer to the question about how the body of topoi was composed and the range of its sources is ambiguous. The article attempts to trace the penetration of a number of stable stylistic formulas into the ancient Russian historical narrative. They should be classified as laconic, non-poetic traditional phrases, devoid of epithets or comparisons that give the statement a certain emotionality. This element of military poetics simultaneously has a clear terminology, formed in a professional military environment, and is based on certain iconic gestures. The work expresses the idea of a connection between such book topoi and kinetic manifestations. These are, first of all, the gestures of princes as leaders of squads, as well as other elements of nonverbal communication. The phenomenon under consideration is only one aspect of the poetics of the military narrative of ancient Russian texts, which arose under the influence of extraliterary reality.

The Razor’s Edge: The Western Sahara Conflict as a Geopolitical Antagonism in the Algerian Morrocan Relations

This article explores the origins of the Western Sahara conflict, and the contrasting interpretations of the factors which have kept it as an unresolved conflict after Spanish forces withdrew in 1975. This article shows how Algeria and Morocco continue to disagree on even the most basic facts of the dispute's history, and suggests that the continuation of the dispute is the result of conflicting models of statehood and historical narratives. Also, it explores ways in which developing concepts within political geography have contributed to understanding the ongoing significance of the region for all the parties to the conflict. Additionally, this paper argues that the contemporary contours of the Western Sahara conflict cannot be seen divorced from the larger geopolitical and balance of power developments in the Maghreb region. Algeria- Morocco relations in general and the Western Sahara conflict in particular are not only influenced by the local political, security and social dynamics, but also by the larger systemic and sub-systemic imperatives.

Performance as Apology: Deconstructing the Legacy of the Japanese Empire in Shin’ya Eiko’s Shinsetaryon

ABSTRACT This article explores the historical narrative of Zainichi Koreans in the Japanese actress Shin’ya Eiko’s solo performance of Shinsetaryon in an attempt to reflect on the decolonisation process between Japanese and Koreans in postwar Japan. In Shinsetaryon, the Zainichi Korean protagonist, Sin Yŏng-suk, narrates her life story interwoven with historical incidents in Japan and Korea during and after Japanese colonial rule. I argue that Shin’ya treated her performance as an apology for her ignorance of the plight of Zainichi Koreans, who have struggled politically and socially in both imperial and post-imperial Japan. She continually revised the script to include her growing understanding about unseen others in the narrative, positing herself as an aggressor who did not completely understand the formerly colonised Koreans. Through these revisions Shin’ya clarified her sense of distance from the Zainichi Korean protagonist, which was essential if her performance was to constitute an apology. She also challenged the idea of the linguistic hierarchy between the Japanese and Korean languages, which is a legacy of Japan’s assimilation policy during the colonial period. In doing so, Shinsetaryon suggested the possibility of remembering the Japanese empire in multiple ways without assimilation between the former coloniser and the colonised.

Daddy-Daughter, Hitler-Jews in Sylvia Plath’s Poetry: Exploring Paternal Influence and Holocaust Imagery

This study investigates the metaphorical connections between the Daddy-Daughter relationship and the Hitler-Jews dynamic in Sylvia Plath’s poetry. Plath is renowned for her evocative and melancholic poetry, which explores intricate topics of Holocaust imagery and paternal influence. The purpose of this research is to examine the complex interactions between historical trauma, familial ties, and individual suffering in Plath’s poetry. Plath’s confessional technique allows her to infuse her very personal issues with wider socio-political implications. Plath explores the tense relationship between a daughter and her father while tying Nazi Germany and the Holocaust into the story. The figure of the father becomes a symbol of oppressive authority, reminiscent of both her father and the tyrannical figure of Hitler. The amalgamation of personal and historical pain mirrors Plath’s personal battles with authoritative fatherhood and the aftermath of World War II. Plath’s poems conjure themes of persecution, pain, and the quest for identity through allusions to Hitler and the Jews. Her mastery is evident in the manner in which personal and historical narratives overlap and inform each other in her work by looking at the issue of “Daddy-Daughter and Hitler-Jews”. This study strives to expand comprehension of her poetic vision and its continuing relevance in modern debate through an analysis of her use of language, imagery, and symbolism. Thus the goal is to offer new perspectives on Plath’s work that both captivate and challenge readers across generations, inviting them to engage with her poetry in a more nuanced and profound manner.

Postmodern Approach to History in the Novel "Selvitë E Tivarit" by M.Kraja

This study article aims to analyze the special way through which the important events of the historical past are integrated into the fiction of the writer Mehmet Kraja with the aim of ironizing and not documenting them. Our main argument is that in the novel "Selvitë e Tivarit" the historical context of the Tivari War is effectively portrayed through postmodern narrative tools and techniques, which highlight doubt and unreliability towards references and the absolute authenticity of historical narratives. The use of techniques such as the presence of a "dubious" narrator's voice, fragmentation, time distortion, ironic representation, etc., appear as postmodern strategies that play an important role in blurring the boundaries between reality (truth) and fiction and enable the thematization of important issues of history, culture, and human and national identity. Our methodology includes the use of analysis methods, which will enable us to delve into the interior of the text, at the levels of narration and discourse, as well as the comparative method to highlight the differences and commonalities between traditional and contemporary models of historical fiction.

Architecture & Life of Indore City -The Heart Of Modern India

Indore, nestled in the heart of Madhya Pradesh, India, epitomizes a harmonious blend of historical architectural marvels and contemporary urban landscapes. This paper embarks on a comprehensive journey through the architectural tapestry of Indore, unraveling its historical epochs, iconic edifices, and the intricate interplay between tradition and modernity in shaping its urban fabric. Employing a multidisciplinary lens encompassing historical narratives, urban design theories, and cultural discourses, this research endeavors to offer profound insights into the distinctive architectural character of Indore and its profound implications within the broader spectrum of Indian urbanism. Moreover, it illuminates the challenges impeding the preservation of Indore's architectural legacy while navigating the imperatives of sustainable urban development. Keywords: Indore, architecture, heritage, urban dynamics, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Ecological wisdom in the legend of Otak Aiq Tojang: An ecocritical analysis

This study examines the Legend of Otak Aiq Tojang to explore ecological wisdom and spirituality within the Sasak people. Otak Aiq Tojang is a spring sacred to the Sasak people in Lendang Nangka village. This study used a literary ecocriticism approach with data collection techniques in the form of observation and interviews. Interviews were conducted with five informants representing predetermined social layers in the community using purposive sampling. The analysis reveals that the legend has profound significance in Sasak’s life, symbolizing a harmonious balance between humans and nature. The connection between ecological policy and sustainability is underscored by the legend of Dewi Anjani, a purported mythological being, and Betere Indra Guru Sakti’s arrival and subsequent discovery of the spring. These tales have an impact on religious observances, including Begawe Beleq and Maulid Adat, which commemorate Prophet Muhammad’s birth. These legends serve not only as historical narratives but also as sources of spiritual and ecological insights. The water deemed auspicious by Otak Aiq Tojang symbolizes sustainability, reflecting the community’s holistic perspective on the environment. Prohibitions of indiscriminate entry and specific food offerings during rituals signify a dedicated preservation effort, illustrating the interconnectedness of cultural norms and ecosystem maintenance. This study enhances our understanding of Sasak’s ecological wisdom, particularly within the context of the Otak Aiq Tojang legend. The implications extend to a deeper comprehension of the interplay between myths, religious rituals, and nature conservation in local cultural settings, thus providing a basis for future research in this domain.

NARRATIVITY, EXPERIENCE, AND MEANING1

ABSTRACTThis review essay aims to reconstruct the main tenets of the “narrative constructivist” position defended by Kalle Pihlainen in his book titled Historia fallida and to lay out some of the ambiguities this position generates. I begin by exposing the core commitments underwriting this theoretical project and insist upon the centrality of the distinction between constructivism and constructionism and upon the arguments he advances against the contemporary approaches in the theory of history that advocate the idea of an experience or a presence of the past. Then, I outline the criticism he levels against the understanding of historians’ work as a “conversation with the past” and highlight that, on Pihlainen's account, a responsible historical enterprise must necessarily assume the unavailability of the past and, hence, the ontological distinction between the present and the past. In the final part of the essay, I formulate three interrogations with regard to the overall orientation of this project. First, drawing on Reinhart Koselleck's concept of a “historical nonsynchronicity,” I question the possibility of establishing a clear‐cut separation between the past and the present and show that the present is never a homogenous field, for it entails different levels of temporality and a plurality of conflicting registers of meaning. Then, I challenge the description of the past as “a closed domain with no room for interaction.” Finally, I point out that the gap Pihlainen introduces between historical narratives and existential narratives cannot be maintained insofar as the historian's practice must be anthropologically grounded—that is, it must be understood as drawing on a narrative capacity (narrativeness) that belongs to the human life‐form.

One Universal Civilization: Superiority and Eurocentric Conception of the Rest

The prevailing notion suggests a universal or human civilization, positing all as subsets of a shared human experience. This article critiques this perspective, arguing that the contemporary concept of human civilization is predominantly synonymous with Western civilization. This article will elucidate its argument by drawing upon the insights of Western scholars in the field of civilizational studies. Subsequently, it will undertake a critical examination and assessment of the Western discourse, evaluating its outcomes as evidenced in contemporary foreign policy shaped by the historical backdrop of colonialism. The article uses direct quotations and historical narratives to not only scrutinize the inclination to depict Western civilization as singular, extraordinary, and unparalleled but also to highlight the persistent tendency to undervalue the importance of other civilizations, often termed as 'the rest'. It relies on primary materials authored by Western scholars concerning the notion of civilization, supplemented by secondary references citing influential intellectuals in the field. In addition to primary sources such as interviews and contemporary statements regarding pertinent events, secondary sources encompass literature on civilization within the framework of global south studies. The notion of Western civilization is depicted as a constructed political construct utilized to perpetuate Western hegemony, engender othering, and perpetuate colonialist agendas. This dynamic persists even in the post-Cold War era, wherein ongoing Western hegemony perpetuates dominance over non-Western powers. Instances reflecting this neo-colonialist paradigm include the US intervention in Iraq, the conflict in Afghanistan, and the ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza as of late 2023.

FROM CHAPEL TO CONVENT: UNVEILING TOLISA'S FRANCISCAN ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE

<p class="TEXT">This article examines the establishment and architectural evolution of the Convent and Parish Church of the Assumption of Mary in Tolisa, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from its medieval origins to its status as a National Monument and important convent in Bosna Argentina. Along with the development process from the first chapel that led to the full-size convent, it traces its history through the Hungarian, Ottoman, and Austro-Hungarian periods, highlighting the pivotal role of Josip Vancaš in the church renovation, blending historicism with contemporary trends. The ensemble, emblematic of Franciscan legacy and cultural significance, attests to the endurance of faith amidst historical flux. This study offers insights into Tolisa's broader cultural milieu and architectural heritage through meticulous analysis of architectural elements and historical narratives.</p>

W. E. B. Du Bois’s universal history in Black Folk Then and Now (1939)

Abstract While debates about ‘Eurocentric’ versus ‘Afrocentric’ theories of history have driven previous studies of Du Bois’s writings on ancient Africa, I read his account of African antiquity in Black Folk Then and Now in the context of the moral and educational projects articulated within both Greco-Roman and African American historiography. I pay special attention to conventional ancient views of history that Diodorus expresses in his Bibliotheke, which treats history as a source of morally instructive examples and ‘universal history’ as especially educational because it synthesizes different historical narratives: these concepts of history were broadly influential into the nineteenth century, including among African American writers. An ancient model of universal history allows Du Bois to tell the story of a distinct human community and nevertheless insist on the unity of peoples, a principle which is central to his philosophy of race and of human history writ large.

Global economic order and global economic governance

Abstract This issue of the Oxford Review of Economic Policy explores the origins of the US-led liberal multilateral economic order in the post-war world and the threats which that order now faces, drawing on contributions from two different groups of people—academic international relations (IR) scholars and international economists. This introductory essay attempts to weave the various strands of this intellectual collaboration together. First, it provides a narrative history of how economic collaboration emerged in the aftermath of the Second World War. Second, it describes the nature of the global economic governance that emerged and provides a new formal framework for analysing it, making use of the idea of ‘concerted unilateralism’. Third, it explores how contemporary challenges—a broadening of policy requirements, the rise of economic nationalism, and the rise of China as a new hegemon—mean that the global economic order is now in flux. And finally, it concludes with a general observation that runs through the paper: that IR scholars are inclined to analyse international economic regimes, economists to study particular policy proposals, and that these two perspectives can—and should—complement one another.