A Journey into the World of Oral History
In 2009, Gansu Tianzhu No. 1 High School sought to expand its student volunteer activities. Initially focused on cleaning the local nursing home, the school decided to encourage students to engage with the elderly by listening to and recording their life stories, bringing them joy. This initiative inspired EEF to explore the field of oral history. In the blink of an eye, oral history has been a part of my life for 16 years. Reflecting on the scholars who helped us identify and refine our methods, connected us with the international oral history community, and facilitated the exchange of experiences, I am still filled with deep respect and gratitude.
Many secondary school teachers have been with us for years, and without realizing it, their hair has turned gray. Like us, these teachers seem to have recognized something special in oral history. A student who explored local wooden frame house and interviewed its builders in Shidian, Yunnan, once remarked, "Amid the monotony of high school studies, the most unforgettable moments were when our teacher took us out to conduct interviews. It felt fresh and joyful." In Kaili, Guizhou, we asked a student what reward he wanted after interviewing his grandfather. He replied, "Now I often go to chat with my grandfather, and he says I’ve grown up. That’s enough for me." One student's parents, recognizing the value of their child learning about his grandfather's challenging childhood, education, and 35-year career in mining, attended all the interviews and assisted in clarifying mining-related terminology. Similarly, many mothers shared the challenges of working away from home and juggling gig jobs with their children, finding solace in reliving and reflecting on their experiences. Through these intimate exchanges, two generations jointly sorted through and reflected on the mother’s life journeys, lightening their emotional burdens.
Oral history has also allowed me to visit unfamiliar places that have gradually become part of my spiritual home. In Chengyang Dong Village, Lun planted rice seedlings with us in the glutinous rice fields and shared the story of the sickle passed down from his father. After his father’s passing, Lun hadn’t been able to sharpen the sickle for a long time, as the vivid memory of his father doing so was too painful. On the Yongji Bridge, Old Yang the carpenter recounted the story of three generations of his family and their connection to the bridge—how his grandfather, as the village’s head donor, initially built it, and how his father, as the chief carpenter, repaired it. Each time the bridge was damaged by floods and rebuilt, it became a moment of unity for the village.
Every time I am moved by these stories, I am reminded that relationships between people are not defined by fixed elements like kinship, occupation, or geography. Instead, they are dynamic, fluid, rich, and nurturing. Through oral history, the companions on this journey—whether they are students’ families, local cultural practitioners, volunteers, scholars, or grassroots researchers—support and nourish one another, becoming researchers and witnesses of lives and society.