Fifteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

In the production of the heritage narratives of a nation-state, conscious choices are made as to which story will be told, and what time period will be celebrated (cf. Porter & Salazar 2005; Bruner 2001, 2003, 2004; Jackson 2008, 2011, 2012). This paper describes an applied anthropology, oral history project to support the documentation of heritage of members of an indigenous and Afro-descendant (Miskitu) community in Waspán, Nicaragua. The interviewees are seven female ex-combatants in the Contra War (1980-1990). Silencing due to issues of race, gender, and political affiliation has limited the ability of the women in this community to have their stories recognized locally and nationally. Oral history is well-suited to “voicing” as it involves a dynamic relationship between a researcher and members of a community, to record and document the lived experiences of people that can help illuminate previously silenced aspects of the historical record, and at times challenge master narratives. The researcher transcribed the oral history and field notes which became sources for the content of a book of stories (community record and curriculum material) about the former combatants utilizing their own words. The project is an effort to support a community in its attempts to lend support to the community to give “voice” to narratives that have been “silenced” in official discourses, national heritage sites, and curriculum.