Historical Narrative Research Articles

ENGLISH: PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH) AS A MILITARY STRATEGIST: LESSONS FOR MODERN WARFARE

The present piece of writing discusses about the outstanding military tactics of Prophet Muhammad that are applicable to complexities of warfare in contemporary times. The prophet was not only a strategic genius but also tender-hearted military general who worked towards permanent peace. Besides winning many wars like Badr, Uhud and Khandaq due to good tactical thinking, he had understanding of human nature and life itself. This rapid adaptation time under dynamic circumstances, foreseeing the enemy’s tactics by a little insight and upliftment of soldiers through the idea justice as well as goals laid down by him is still relevant in present day military operations that were never religiously tolerant until they kill every single weak group’s member during which settling for peaceful coexistence has been defined over a long term. These principles are timeless in an intricate world with battles dominated patterns throughout its narrative history. they tell us that real battlefield leaders are not those who have great armies alone; they entail wisdom, moral principles plus everyone’s welfare. Through historical narratives this research aims at showing how today’s military leaders can derive inspiration from Prophet’s methods that lead them into victory as well as humanity.

Beneath the brand: a microhistorical inquiry into the renaming of Air Canada

ABSTRACT In this paper, I draw out the micro-analytical promise of microhistory’s lesser-known facets – ‘minor knowledge’ – through a serendipitous encounter with empirical material in an amodern archival project featuring an iconic Canadian airline. The concept of minor knowledge refers to small-scale, often overlooked details and otherwise insignificant narratives that reveal important insights into historical contexts. These contexts are important in microhistory because they connect local events with broader historical processes. With the help of the Trans Canada Airlines’ organizational history, I zoom in on a break in the historical narrative – a little-known critical event involving a brand name change to Air Canada in 1964 – and focus on the impact historical actors had on effectuating this change. Through this research, I draw attention to how, by refining our gaze toward one individual – Jean Chrétien – and his relations to Canadian nationalism and bilingualism, microhistory can enrich our understanding of the interchange between personal agency and the making of larger institutional change.

ТОБОЖЊА КОТОРСКА ПОВЕЉА КРАЉА СТЕФАНА НЕМАЊИЋА – ПРИЛОГ ТРАДИЦИЈИ ПРЕПИСА САЧУВАНИХ У ЦЕТИЊСКИМ ЗБОРНИЦИМА

The paper deals with later transcriptions of the alleged charter of Stefan Nemanjić, associated in literature and tradition with the city of Cattaro. These are two texts created in the 18th century – one is preserved in “Cetinjski ljetopis” (“Annals of Cetinje”, kept in the Cetinje monastery) and the other in the cartulary “Epoha Crnojevića” (kept in the Archival and Library Department of the National Museum of Montenegro in Cetinje). Although containing obvious additions in the form of historical narration, while elements of known diplomatic practice are mainly absent, the traces of documentary records can be recognised in these copies. By means of diplomatic and legal-historical analysis, the paper examines their mutual relationship, the assumed joint template and its credibility as historical source. An attempt was also made at determining the likely addressee of the source document(s), the remains of which have been preserved in the mentioned transcriptions. Finally, the multilayered tradition of these texts has been treated. The paper offers new parallel editions of both versions as well as their quality images.

Moses Wilhelm Shapira, Hermann Weser and the Moab Expedition: Provenance Study of the Moabitica

ABSTRACT The 1870s case of the archaeological forgeries attributed to Jerusalem antiquities dealer Moses Wilhelm Shapira continues to provoke interest. This article examines the association of the Moabitica, marketed by Shapira, to their Moabite origin using the modern scientific methods of ceramic petrography and X-ray fluorescence. The results serve, in turn, to illuminate an unanswered question raised by the historical account of the German explorers’ provisional delegation to Moab. The delegation traced the sources of the Moabitica antiquities in an attempt to locate additional Moabitica in situ where they had allegedly been found. The historical account is unclear as to whether this research trip was also part of the conspiracy organised by the Jerusalem counterfeiters or whether it solely involved a workshop and a team acting east of the Dead Sea. Combining the historical narrative and the geoarchaeological analysis, the affair is examined from a perspective never before undertaken.

From Turns to Networks: Multiplicity in Rhetorical Agency

This article examines rhetorical agency by using advanced bibliometric methods, arguing for a refined approach that recognizes multiple forms of rhetorical agency. By employing methodologies from information science, this study also illuminates often-overlooked infrastructural dynamics among scholars, specifically in how scholarship has materialized and enforced through textual citations. The analysis supplements traditional historical narratives of theory, introducing a dynamic conceptualization of rhetorical agency as an interconnected network. This paper forwards a multifaceted understanding of rhetorical agency, envisioned as comprising at least five intertwined networks. This article consequently provides a novel approach for analyzing disciplinary history by considering how citationality carries material traces of the past.

Creation, Preservation and Documentation of Oral Tradition in Ancient Yorùbá and Hebraic Cultures

Oral tradition in both ancient Yoruba and Hebraic cultures has remained challenging in contemporary times. This study therefore comparatively examines the creation, preservation, and documentation of oral tradition in ancient Yoruba and Hebraic cultures with the view to evaluating its transition and historical trajectory. Historical narrative and documentary/archival research methods as well as Key Informant Interview (KII) employed in this study. Data was generated and subjected to content analysis. In Yoruba cosmology, oral traditions created were more concretized in the minds of people through cultural activities demonstrated in the form of moonlight stories, folktales, festivals, and so on that portrayed the community norms, beliefs, practices, and morals. These cultural practices become immortalized through repeated performances over a period and these cultures are being celebrated even to date. On the other hand, the Hebraic people believe that the oral tradition was a creation of God for man and that these traditions passed down orally in successive patterns from one generation to another prior to their documentation. Regarding, the preservation and documentation of oral tradition in ancient Yoruba, it is believed that it is passed from mouth to mouth and through stories from one lineage to another. However, for the Hebraic people, the oral traditions preserved before their documentation as observed in the Hebrew Scriptures as well as seen in the written “Torah” (the first five books of the Old Testament). Consequently, the Hebraic oral traditions preserved through memorization, documented first in the Mishnah and some other ancient documents. Preserved in stories that illustrated the model of a sage who was in the order of Moses and was called the “rabbi”. The influence of globalization, misinterpretation and migration on Yoruba oral traditions remains challenging. This is not an exemption even with the Hebraic oral traditions though written.

White Emotion and White Scopophilia: The Myth of Docile and Brute Blacks

This article investigates the resilience of the docility and brutality myths attributed to African Americans as demonstrated by three fairly recent film renditions. The focus is on the historical origins and the continued relevance of these tropes through white scopophilia and cognitive dissonance. The myths are analyzed in terms of their role in justifying racial hierarchies and reinforcing white supremacy within historical and contemporary contexts. Through a critical examination of historical texts by Lerone Bennett Jr. and portrayals in films such as Django Unchained and Twelve Years a Slave, the study demonstrates how these stereotypes are alternately emphasized or diminished to maintain white dominance. It argues that white America constructs African American identities with a strategic oscillation between docility and brutality to sustain control and alleviate white guilt. This manipulation is facilitated by psychological mechanisms that allow white individuals to hold contradictory beliefs about race without recognizing their inconsistencies. By detailing the dynamic usage of these myths, the article highlights how they are not static, but are strategically deployed to reaffirm white moral and authoritative supremacy as needed. The conclusion calls for a critical reassessment of racial representations in media and historical narratives to disrupt these enduring racial myths.

Agathocles' Self-Representation as a Counterpart to Alexander in Syracusan Coinage: Doriktetos Chora, Athena, Artemis and Heracles

Do self-proclaimed royal successors, so-called "Diadochi", of Alexander the Great appear exclusively in the mammoth empires he left behind? Egypt, Asia Minor, Babylonia, Macedonia, Greece? Just people like Ptolemy, Seleucus, Lysimachus, Cassander, Demetrius? No. At least in terms of power staging and according to historical narratives of the Hellenistic and Roman periods, regular Diadochi and emulators of Alexander can even be identified in far-off Sicily. In particular, the first official king of Syracuse and contemporary of Alexander, Agathocles, adopted significant elements of Alexander's ancient Oriental-Macedonian self-portrayal and hybridised them with the local Sicilian pictorial tradition to create interesting and original new creations, which we will examine on the basis of Syracusan coins and ancient literature.

Between State Duty and Peace Mission: The Other Side & Experience of Indonesia Peacekeeping Force in the Middle East

Further research has been conducted on the role of the Indonesian National Army and the Indonesian laskar after the declaration of independence on 17 August 1945 and during the revolutionary period from 1945 to 1949. However, after decolonization in the 1950s, military history including the lives of its members and their personal lives received less space in the narrative of military history. Peace veteran is a title given specifically to young Indonesians who had participated as special forces under the auspices of the United Nations. These young men did not only come from the TNI but also from student regiments who had the opportunity to join this special peacekeeping force. The main focus of this article revolves around their efforts to guard the border between Egypt and ‘Israel’ during the war in the Middle East. This article will use oral sources and personal documents from various Indonesian peacekeeping forces who served during this period. The results of the study show that although they were faced with uncertain situations, far from their families, and preparing to face the enemy, there was another side to their experiences, namely, meeting colleagues from other countries, language gaps, and other “normal” activities that they were still able to carry out while on duty.

3D Electrical Resistivity Tomography Using a Radial Array and Detailed Topography for Tumuli Prospection

ABSTRACTTumuli, ancient burial mounds, stand as intriguing archaeological features, offering valuable insights into past cultures and burial practices. This paper explores the significance of tumuli inspection and utilizes electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) as a noninvasive and powerful tool for inspecting these enigmatic structures, using a nonconventional array. Tumuli, spanning various shapes and sizes, serve as repositories of cultural and funerary traditions, and understanding their internal composition is crucial for unravelling historical narratives. ERT has emerged as a promising geophysical method for investigating subsurface structures, including tumuli. By imaging the electrical resistivity of the ground, ERT enables archaeologists to map variations in soil composition and identify buried features without excavation. This paper reviews the principles of ERT and its application in tumulus studies, showcasing a case study where ERT has successfully revealed internal structures, burial chambers and associated artefacts. The use of 2D ERT is common in tumuli inspection, ignoring accurate 3D effects from the topography. Here we highlight the benefits of the 3D inversion, while we provide a different way to measure which is cost efficient and provides increased spatial resolution to the area of interest. The integration of 3D ERT into archaeological investigations not only enhances our understanding of tumuli construction but also preserves these cultural heritage sites by minimizing the need for invasive excavation. This research contributes to the evolving methodologies in archaeology, emphasizing the synergy between modern technology and traditional archaeological inquiry to uncover the secrets held within tumuli.

The metaphor of “sinking to one’s knees” as a narrative element in the essays of Alexander Matuška

The presented paper examines the meaning of the metaphor of dropping or sinking to one’s knees in the works of Slovak essayist Alexander Matuška. Drawing on the cognitive theory of metaphor formed by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson, this paper attempts not only to describe the concrete realisation of the orientational metaphor of the up-down type in the context of ceremonial symbolism, but also to interpret this metaphor as a certain narrative element in the history narrative that Matuška presents in his essayistic work, and as an element present across different cultures.

The heritage of Tyneham as a living memorial: between complex historical narratives and suggestive performing traditions

Tyneham was a farming and fishing village in Dorset, with a history extending over nine centuries, and human habitation dating back 2,500 years. However, in 1943 the village, and its wider surrounding area, was transformed after being requisitioned to serve as a training ground for tank soldiers during the Second World War. Consequently, Tyenham’s landscape evolved, but the remaining structures still describe the life of this pre-industrial community. While the village is now a major tourist destination attracting thousands of visitors, it remains within a live tank-firing range. Tyneham is a living memorial, relevant to current discourses of heritage preservation and community engagement. To reveal its dynamic nature a mixed methodology was used: literature and historic archives’ review, observations by visitors, the Tyneham village group posts review and students’ engagement to understand the value of Tyneham as a palimpsest of identity, conflict, memory and universal narratives – personal, communal and imagined. The historic transformation of the site’s ownership and its shifting narratives sometimes strongly contrast with each other. At present, the site is owned by the military but displayed narratives exclude its perspective. Can inclusive performing practices transform the site from a place of conflict to a place of reconciliation and education? Parallels with the historic performative traditions of ancient Greece and Japanese Noh theatre are noted to suggest a dynamic heritage space. This article highlights how a contested site could become a living memorial by encouraging visitors’ imaginations to engage in aspects of a story that are constantly being reinvented.

Revisiting the “Inner Asianness” of the Qing Dynasty from the Perspective of Multilingual Composition

Abstract Scholars of the New Qing History school in the United States argue that the use of multi-ethnic languages during the Qing dynasty played a crucial role in shaping its distinctive “Inner Asianness,” in contrast to earlier dynasties of the Central Plain. However, this perspective dose not align entirely with historical facts. Firstly, the multilingual writing system of the Qing dynasty was largely influenced by the political and cultural traditions of the preceding Ming dynasty in the Central Plain, rather than being solely a product of Inner Asian influence. Secondly, the Qing rulers used multilingual composition primarily as a practical measure to govern a diverse empire, not as a means of emphasizing their Inner Asian identity. Furthermore, the Qing rulers identified themselves as the rightful successors of the Central Plain in terms of their political and cultural heritage. They used multilingual composition to establish a unified writing system centered around Confucian values, ultimately transforming the Manchu regime into a unified dynasty integrated into the China’s broader historical narrative.

The Long History of Using History of Science to Enliven and Inform Teaching and Learning in Biology

This article introduces and contextualizes the content of this theme issue of The American Biology Teacher (ABT), which focuses on integrating elements of the history of science (HOS) in biology instruction. Such orientations can enhance students’ understanding of core biological concepts and the process of scientific discovery by associating them with appropriate historical narratives. This article introduces the range of ideas offered by a variety of authors regarding how to teach aspects of the history of science, most of which use the case study approach. The second purpose is to provide a research-based background in support of a history of science (HOS) teaching orientation with rationales for its inclusion in the curriculum. Therefor readers will find personal insights and a review of the use of historical techniques in biology instruction including discussion of seminal contributions such as the Harvard Case Studies in Experimental Science from HOS proponent James B. Conant and Leo Klopfer’s adaptation of this approach for high school classrooms with the History of Science Cases (HOSC). The review continues with discussion of rationales for the inclusion of HOS approaches and a typology of such approaches. Throughout the article posits that even a modest incorporation of historical context into instruction can significantly enrich the educational experience, helping students gain a more profound appreciation of biology and the nature of scientific inquiry, ultimately making instruction more impactful and meaningful.

Inquiring into the Railroad Workers’ Disease

This article presents a historical and investigative narrative, “The Railway Workers’ Disease,” to actively engage students in science. The case focuses on the research challenges encountered by Carlos Chagas in Brazil in the early twentieth century. Chagas eventually identified a new disease, the previously unknown protozoan that caused it, and the insect vector that transmitted it: a remarkable triple discovery. By situating inquiry in a historical scenario, teachers can place students in the shoes of actual historical scientists and pose inquiry questions in an authentic context. Our students expressed a sense of being active participants alongside Carlos in conducting a scientific investigation and reported a deeper understanding of scientific practices than in their regular classes. The interactive storytelling and discussion method also enables inquiry learning about the nature of science, in addition to the standard textbook concepts of infectious diseases, protozoa, and the ecology of parasitic insects.

“I Will Stitch it Back and Pass it Down”: A Bai Elder Makes and Teaches Buzha

Abstract This essay explores how traditional arts impact the lives of older adults, especially those recognized as inheritors of an Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). Through the work of elder Bai artist Mrs Zhao Huaizhu, I consider how traditional hand-icrafts and cultural knowledge enhance elder wellbeing and foster intergenerational connections. Mrs Zhao is a master of buzha, a traditional Bai art form where embroidered silk items are filled with wormwood and other aromatic herbs. Recognized as an ICH inheritor, Mrs Zhao invests her silk creations with Bai folklore, local history, and personal narratives. She uses her creations to convey cultural values and impart her individual identity. Engaging in this expressive practice not only gives Mrs Zhao’s life purpose and meaning, but also allows her to contribute to the economic and cultural vitality of her Bai community. This case study underscores the reciprocal relationship between ICH practices and the elders who practice them. Blending folklore methods with gerontological perspectives, the essay makes clear that traditional arts and cultural performances can work to support the quality of life of older adults. While elder artisans may be vital for sustaining traditional knowledge and practices, active participation in these cultural productions also enhance their emotional, psychological, physical, and social wellbeing, which is seldom a consideration in scholarly and governmental conversations about the value of ‘heritage’ conservation efforts.

Still Bad Indians

This essay on Deborah A. Miranda’s Bad Indians: A Tribal Memoir, is a meditation on the significance of California Indian women’s stories of survival and resistance. I take inspiration from a few sections of Bad Indians in order to tell other California Indian stories. I respond to questions Miranda poses in her text with speculative narratives of history, stories about bears and salmon, and an old family story that leaves me with no easy way to feel. I argue that stories reassert California Indians’ presence on our homelands in spite of the ceaseless efforts of the state to remove us.

Engaging Youth in History Through Immersive Storytelling: A Case Study of the 'Once Upon a Time in Palestine' XR Documentary

This paper explores the Once Upon a Time in Palestine XR Documentary as a case study to investigate the potential of virtual and augmented reality technologies in reshaping historical narratives through immersive stories that engage youth with history. The documentary recounts the oral history of pre-1948 Palestine by providing an interactive virtual experience presented on a virtual reality (VR) headset and augmented reality (AR) app. Developed on the Unity3D Gaming Engine, the project employs cutting-edge AI technologies to transform archival photographs into a three-dimensional environment. The storytellers are seamlessly integrated into the XR documentary as 3D volumetric videos to deliver mini-scripted reenactments of oral accounts that were collected from interviews with Palestinian elders. The paper examines various facets of the production process and its outcome while exploring the implications for youth engagement in both the creation process and interaction with the finished project. At the core of this process lies an endeavor to present content with minimal technological mediation that fosters a sense of plausibility through the creation of ‘presence’ for the audience. The case study presents observations and articulates the process undertaken to produce the documentary, which underscores the significance of employing virtual and augmented reality in historical documentaries. Furthermore, it assesses how an interdisciplinary multimodal pedagogical design can facilitate collaborative and interactive projects for undergraduate students, especially when the creators and consumers of the content are the target audience.

Remake as resistance: re-narrating Hong Kong Chineseness in The Taking of Tiger Mountain

Abstract It is often assumed that yangban-xi (model theatre), crafted by the Chinese Communist Party during the Cultural Revolution (1966–76), represents a homogeneous Chinese identity. However, this assumption overlooks the intricate cultural, economic, and political dynamics embedded in these works, especially when remade by Sinophone artists. Following the 2003 Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), these dynamics are further complicated by increasingly blurred boundaries between Hong Kong and mainland China. This paper examines The Taking of Tiger Mountain (Zhiqu weihu shan) (Tsui Hark 2014), a Hong Kong-Mainland coproduced remake of a yangban-xi film. Through an analysis of the film’s intertextual connections with its 1970 predecessor and its genre-blending and narrative strategies, this study argues that the remake challenges the authority of official history by exposing fissures in collective memory and the inherent subjectivity in historical narratives. The paper posits The Taking of Tiger Mountain as a cultural battleground where the top-down homogeneity of ‘Chineseness’ is contested by diverse peripheral voices, reflecting the ongoing negotiation of cultural identities within the post-1997 Hong Kong-Mainland context.

Seen, of Light and Legacy: Abstraction, Archive, and Representation

Frederick Douglass was a strong advocate for photographic self-representation. He eloquently used photography, not long after its invention, to shape how African Americans see ourselves and likewise how we are seen by others. This intentional use of photography afforded him the title of the most photographed person of the nineteenth century. What does it take to be the most photographed person of the twenty first century, and how can portraiture continue to shift understandings of Black identity within established, often monolithic, historical narratives? These questions motivate Black Alchemy, a series through which I consider Black identity, history, and representation. I turn to light, alongside geometric abstraction, to construct photographs that investigate and recontextualize Douglass’s historical legacy with contemporary concerns around Black identity.