Academic Major: History
Advisor: Morgan Perkins & Libbie Freed
Title: Web of Stories: Oral History
The basis of this project is the oral histories of the descendants of Jamaican maroons. To summarize history, enslaved Africans would frequently escape enslavement, these people are called maroons. As I have learned from previous coursework and outside knowledge, the myths these people would pass down from generation to generation show clear indications that some aspects of the stories have changed from their African origins. In addition, I hope to compile multiple oral family histories as enslaved Africans were taken from varying ethnic groups and regions. The stories that families pass down are an important part of identity, especially for descendants of oppressed groups who may have parts of their identity stripped from them. I am Jamaican myself and due to the nature of the slave trade in Jamaica, my main source of knowledge of where my ancestors were from is the oral history told to me by my mother. Many of my Caribbean peers tell me a similar story, that even though mainstream historical sources cannot produce many letters, travel forms, and other documents from our ancestors, our oral histories align with newer historical research. I find the fact that these stories correlate with research like DNA testing fascinating as it demonstrates the importance of passing these histories down. I have a personal connection with this project, and I hope to share this investment with the campus community in a way that even those not as familiar with the history could understand. Art is frequently used as a medium to grab people’s attention and help them to understand a concept so I think that dispersing the information through an art exhibition would be perfect.