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Overview

Introduction To Oral History:

Oral history records and documents the history and intangible heritage of the United Arab Emirates through oral narratives and firsthand accounts stored in the memories of elderly people and witnesses to the times. Oral history monitors historical events and lifestyles in the past to preserve the material and moral characteristics of the UAE society for future generations by conducting audio and video interviews, which are subsequently classified and indexed to enrich the National Library and Archives' holdings.

Oral history objectives:

  • Document the narrators' oral memory, which constitutes a historical reference supported with their voices and expressions.
  • Write down and record the chronology of historical events as the narratives of those people are important in documenting the events that have not been discussed in foreign documents.
  • Enrich the holdings of the National Library and Archives, establish a database and preserve oral history interviews so that they can be used by researchers and scholars.
  • Bring forward historical materials and introduce youngsters with these materials along with the lifestyles and stages of development all over the UAE before and after the establishment of the Union.

Oral History Output:

  • Publishing the historical, cultural and heritage output in the form of publications, books and smart applications.
  • Presenting the narrator’s historical role as a witness to the times.
  • Supporting researchers in their investigations of documents and verifying them against the oral narratives of those who witnessed the events; since they are the memory and the history of the nation.
  • Promoting national identity, pride in the homeland's achievements and reinforcing the sense of loyalty and belonging.
  • Positively influencing family and social bonds.
  • Introducing the UAE values, principles, customs and traditions.

Memberships

Memberships

  • American Oral History Association
  • GCC.SOC. for History and Archeology
  • Moroccan Historians Association
  • Societe Egyptienne Des Etudes Historiques
  • Intangible Cultural Heritage UNESCO committee
  • Association for Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies(AGAPS)

Interview Subjects

Interview Subjects

The interview focuses on recording and documenting the biography of the narrator, then moves on to other topics, such as:

Genealogy and family tree:

  • Tribal genealogical documentation.
  • Clans and their branches.
  • UAE ruling families, in order to highlight family bonds and the sense of belonging to the nation.

Social Life:

  • Customs and traditions.
  • Means of entertainment and recreation.
  • Toiletries.
  • Fishing and hunting.
  • Raising livestock such as horses and camels.
  • Popular folk dishes.

Administrative and Political Life:

  • Local government and its role in public life.
  • The role of local tribal leaders, and the relationship between the people and local Rulers.

Economic Life:

  • Trade and Agriculture.
  • Handicrafts and artifacts.
  • Financial system such as currency types and the state financial resources.

Religious Life:

  • Mosques and their religious and social role.
  • Role of clergymen in society.

Cultural and Academic life:

  • Education.
  • Education centers and Katateeb (traditional education system).

Science:

  • Folk medicine techniques.
  • Popular folk remedies.
  • Astronomy.
  • Navigation.

Arts:

  • Handicrafts.
  • Singing.
  • Music.

Traditional Architectural styles:

  • Building mosques.
  • Platforms and decorative designs.
  • Types of water transportation systems such as "falags".
  • Shipbuilding industry

Questions about the UAE's annual initiatives.

Information on the history of certain places in the UAE and associated stories and memories of people who inhabited them is also collected

Interview Procedures

Interview Procedures

  • Approaching different local social groups, in order to find narrators.
  • Preparing questions.
  • Approaching the narrator and briefing him/her on the oral history project and the subject matter of the interview.
  • Obtaining initial approval for audio recording or photographing.
  • Sending the narrator a sample of the specialized questions for his/her information upon request.
  • Setting the date and place of the interview.
  • Preparing the necessary equipment (recording device, camera, release form, memory card, and fingerprint tray).
  • Conducting the interview.
  • Obtaining he narrator's signature on the release form.
  • Sending the narrator an appreciation letter.
  • Sending the narrator the interview transcription upon request.
  • Analyzing the interview based on place, time, region, events, etc.
  • Providing the narrator with a copy of the interview after redrafting it, and converting the text from colloquial to classic Arabic, and with the interview recording upon request (acknowledgement receipt).

Inquires

Oral History and Genealogical Studies Unit

Phone numbers
  • 024183530
  • 024183525
  • 024183521
  • 024183522
  • 024183550
Email
Do you have any questions?
If you have any query, visit Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
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Timeline

Headquarter in Abu Dhabi

2006

August 01, 2006

National Center for Documentation and Research Headquarter in Abu Dhabi

Federal Decree No. 46 for the year 2007

2007

June 01, 2007

Federal Decree No. 46 for the year 2007 to appoint Dr. Abdulla M. El Reyes as Director General (Assistant Under Secretary) of the Center for Documentation and Research

Federal Law No. (7) for the year 2008 to establish the National Center for Documentation and Research

2008

June 01, 2008

Federal Law No. (7) for the year 2008 to establish the National Center for Documentation and Research

The Federal Law No. (1) for the year 2014

2014

June 01, 2014

The Federal Law No. (1) for the year 2014 to change the name National Center for Documentation and Research to National Archives

The issuance of the Bylaw of the Federal Law No. (7) for the year 2008

2013

December 10, 2013

The issuance of the Bylaw of the Federal Law No. (7) for the year 2008

The Center for Documentation and Research became part of the Cultural Foundation

1984

June 01, 1984

The Center for Documentation and Research became part of the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi in accordance with Law No. 7 of 1981 regarding Cultural Institutions issued by Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed

Federal Decree No. 75 for the year 1976

1976

June 19, 1976

Federal Decree No. 75 for the year 1976 to appoint Dr. Mohammed Mursi as Director General of the Center for Documentation and Research at the President’s Diwan

Amiri Court Circular No. 49, 1969

1969

February 26, 1969

Amiri Court Circular No. 49, 1969, informing the Abu Dhabi Government Departments about the objectives of the Documents and Research Bureau in collecting material concerning the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and its development

Establishment of the Documents and Research Bureau at Ruler’s Court

1968

February 26, 1968

The National Archives, previously known as the National Center for Documentation and Research (NCDR), was established in 1968, upon directives from the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, under the name of "Documents and Research Bureau", and was affiliated with Al Diwan Al Amiri (Ruler’s Court). Its mission was defined as ‘collecting documents and information relating to the history, politics, social life and culture of the gulf region and Arabian Peninsula in general, and in particular those related to Abu Dhabi and the Emirates, from primary sources in Arab and foreign countries. It has been entrusted with the documentation and translation of these documents. In 1972, its name was changed to the Center for Documentation & Research (CDR), then according to the Federal Decree No. (7) for 2008, it became the National Center for Documentation and Research (NCDR) and according to the Federal Decree No. (1) for 2014 the name was changed to the National Archives.

Documents and Research Bureau was changed to Center for Documentation and Research

1972

June 19, 1972

Documents and Research Bureau was changed to Center for Documentation and Research

The re-location of the Center for Documentation and Research to the National Archives Building

2023

January 12, 2023

The re-location of the Center for Documentation and Research to the National Archives Building of the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi

Headquarter in Abu Dhabi

2006

August 01, 2006

National Center for Documentation and Research Headquarter in Abu Dhabi

Federal Decree No. 46 for the year 2007

2007

June 01, 2007

Federal Decree No. 46 for the year 2007 to appoint Dr. Abdulla M. El Reyes as Director General (Assistant Under Secretary) of the Center for Documentation and Research

Federal Law No. (7) for the year 2008 to establish the National Center for Documentation and Research

2008

June 01, 2008

Federal Law No. (7) for the year 2008 to establish the National Center for Documentation and Research

The Federal Law No. (1) for the year 2014

2014

June 01, 2014

The Federal Law No. (1) for the year 2014 to change the name National Center for Documentation and Research to National Archives

The issuance of the Bylaw of the Federal Law No. (7) for the year 2008

2013

December 10, 2013

The issuance of the Bylaw of the Federal Law No. (7) for the year 2008

The Center for Documentation and Research became part of the Cultural Foundation

1984

June 01, 1984

The Center for Documentation and Research became part of the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi in accordance with Law No. 7 of 1981 regarding Cultural Institutions issued by Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed

Federal Decree No. 75 for the year 1976

1976

June 19, 1976

Federal Decree No. 75 for the year 1976 to appoint Dr. Mohammed Mursi as Director General of the Center for Documentation and Research at the President’s Diwan

Amiri Court Circular No. 49, 1969

1969

February 26, 1969

Amiri Court Circular No. 49, 1969, informing the Abu Dhabi Government Departments about the objectives of the Documents and Research Bureau in collecting material concerning the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and its development

Establishment of the Documents and Research Bureau at Ruler’s Court

1968

February 26, 1968

The National Archives, previously known as the National Center for Documentation and Research (NCDR), was established in 1968, upon directives from the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, under the name of "Documents and Research Bureau", and was affiliated with Al Diwan Al Amiri (Ruler’s Court). Its mission was defined as ‘collecting documents and information relating to the history, politics, social life and culture of the gulf region and Arabian Peninsula in general, and in particular those related to Abu Dhabi and the Emirates, from primary sources in Arab and foreign countries. It has been entrusted with the documentation and translation of these documents. In 1972, its name was changed to the Center for Documentation & Research (CDR), then according to the Federal Decree No. (7) for 2008, it became the National Center for Documentation and Research (NCDR) and according to the Federal Decree No. (1) for 2014 the name was changed to the National Archives.

Documents and Research Bureau was changed to Center for Documentation and Research

1972

June 19, 1972

Documents and Research Bureau was changed to Center for Documentation and Research

The re-location of the Center for Documentation and Research to the National Archives Building

2023

January 12, 2023

The re-location of the Center for Documentation and Research to the National Archives Building of the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi
The National Archieves In Brief
(1968-2023)

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