Chapter 1:
Meaning and Relevance of History
A. Meaning and Relevance of History
History
Traditional Understanding:
Study of the past.
Chronological record of significant events often including an explanation of their causes.
“Ang kasaysayan ay SALAYSAY na may SAYSAY sa SINASALAYSAYANG SALINGLAHI.” - -
Zeus Salazar
“Pantayong Pananaw” - (Salazar, 1974)
Divisions of History
1. Pre-History
Period where no written records exist or when the writings of people were not preserved.
Analyzed through fossils and artifacts by Archaeologists and Anthropologists
2. History
Period when man started to write and record events using a system of writing.
Aanalyzed through wood carves, engraved metals, written papyrus, written papers.
It is studied by “Historians”
Role of Historians
To look at the available sources and select the most relevant for history and subject of study.
To organize the past that is being created.
To seek for the meaning of recovering the past to let the people see the continuing relevance of
memories. (Historical Understanding)
Historiography
“Writing of History” (Historical Writing)
Based on critical examination of sources, selection of particular details from authentic materials
in those sources and the synthesis of those details into a narrative.
Done through “Historical Research” with the aid of “Historical Methodology”
Tips in Writing History
1. Choosing a topic.
2. Looking for data through Historical sources.
3. Determining the data as a Primary or Secondary source.
4. Analyze the data through historical criticisms.
5. Writing the entire narrative.
Filipino Traits and Values
1. HOSPITALITY
2. MAINTAIN CLOSE FAMILY TIES
3. RESPECT FOR THE ELDERS
4. SENTIMENTAL
5. PAKIKISAMA OR SENSE OF TOGETHERNESS
6. UTANG NA LOOB OR DEBT OF GRATITUDE
7. HIYA OR SENSE OF SHAME
8. FATALISTIC
9. LACKS DISCIPLINE
10. CRAB MENTALITY
11. COLONIAL MENTALITY
12. NINGAS KUGON
13. MAÑANA HABIT
14. RESILIENT
15. FAITH IN GOD
B. Distinction of Primary and Secondary Sources
Historical Sources
1. Primary Sources
Produced at the same time as the event being studied (Contemporary Accounts)
Include documents or artifacts created by a witness or participant of the event.
“Firsthand testimony,” “Eyewitness accounts”
It may include diaries, letters, interviews, photographs,newspapers.
Written Sources - are sources that usually in written form. It has three categories.
Narrative or Literature - These sources are chronicles or tracts presented in a narrative form, it
tells a story or narrates the story of the events. e.g. Diary, newspaper etc.
Diplomatic Sources - are understood to be those documents/records of an existing legal situation
or create a new one. This source is also called as legal documents. e.g. Laws, Memorandums,
Executive orders, etc.
Social Documents - this are information pertaining to economic, social, political or judicial
significance. e.g., Research findings, Records of census, civil registry, etc.
Non-Written Sources - sources that are not in written form.
Material Evidence – this is also known as archaeological evidence. These artifacts can tell a great
deal about the ways of life people in the past, and their culture. e.g. swords, relics, bones, etc.
Oral Evidence – sources that are transmitted orally. e.g. Tales, folk songs, interviews. Etc.
6 Points of Inquiries to Evaluate Primary sources (Garraghan, 1950):
Date- When was it produced?
Localization- Where did it originate?
Authorship- Who wrote it?
Analysis- What pre-existing material served as the basis for its production?
Integrity- What was its original form?
Credibility- What is the evidential value of its content?
2. Secondary Sources
Produced by authors who used and interpreted primary sources
Analyzed a scholarly question and often use primary source as evidence
Include books, theses, dissertations, journals, magazines, knowledge of historians
Written few years after the exact time of the event
Primary and Secondary sources should be evaluated its validity and credibility by asking these
questions:
How did the author know about the given details? Was the author present at the event?
Where did the information come from? Is it a personal experience, an eyewitness account, etc.?
Did the author conclude based on a single or multiple source?
In terms of historical reliability,
Primary source:
The closer the date of creation, the more reliable one.
Secondary source:
The more recent, the more reliable one.
C. External and Internal Criticism Historical Criticism
External Criticism
Verification of authenticity by examining physical characteristics; consistency with the historical
characteristics of the time when it was produced, and materials used.
We can ask the following questions:
When it was written?
Where it was written?
Who was the author?
Why did it survive?
What were the materials used?
Where the words used were being used those times?
Internal Criticism
Looks at the truthfulness and factuality of the evidence by looking at the author of the source, its
context, the agenda behind its creation
It looks at the content of the source and examines the circumstance of its production
We can ask the following questions:
Was it written by eyewitness or not?
Why was it written?
Is there consistency?
What are the connotations?
What is the literal meaning?
What is the meaning of the context?
7 factors in evaluating through Internal Criticism (Howell and Prevenier, 2001):
1. Genealogy of the document
2. Genesis of the document
3. Originality of the document
4. Interpretation of the document
5. Authorial authority of the document
6. Competence of the observer
7. Trustworthiness of the observer
