Muscat: The National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA) continues the implementation of its project to document the oral narrative of the Omani presence in the city of Mombasa, Republic of Kenya.
According to Oman News Agency, this initiative is part of the NRAA's ongoing efforts to trace the paths of Omani history beyond the nation's borders and complete the documentation of the Omani cultural legacy in East Africa. These efforts contribute to preserving historical memory and enhancing sources for research and study regarding the historical relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the countries along the African coast.
This project extends the Authority's approach to collecting and documenting various historical sources. The oral narrative is an important tributary that complements thousands of documents and manuscripts related to East African history preserved by the Authority. The testimonies of narrators bring to life details of daily life and historical events not recorded in written sources, serving as a living witness to the depth of the Omani presence in the region.
Through a series of field interviews, the team from the Oral History Department at the Authority is documenting testimonies from several narrators among the residents of Mombasa. They recount experiences or stories inherited from their ancestors about events and situations that embody the Omani presence in the city and along the Kenyan coast, as well as the cultural impact on various aspects of political, economic, cultural, social, and urban life.
These interviews aim to document the oral memory of the Omani presence in Mombasa and highlight the historical role played by Omanis in East Africa across different historical stages. This enhances the documentation of the shared cultural legacy and provides authentic scientific material that supports historical and research studies.
In this context, Abdulaziz Humaid Al Mahdhouri, Director of the Oral History Department at the National Records and Archives Authority, stated that documenting the oral narrative in East Africa is a key pillar of the Authority's projects aimed at completing the historical picture of the Omani presence outside the Sultanate of Oman.
He added that the narrators' accounts are an authentic historical source that preserves details unavailable in written documents. It also enhances researchers' understanding of the nature of human, social, and cultural relations developed between Omanis and East Africans over the centuries.
Al Mahdhouri clarified that the project is not merely about collecting narratives; it seeks to preserve them according to a scientific methodology that ensures their sustainability and accessibility for future generations. This enriches the national repository of historical sources and supports specialized academic studies on the shared history between the Sultanate of Oman and East African countries.
The field mission has resulted in the collection of numerous testimonies and valuable historical information documenting multiple aspects of the Omani presence in Mombasa. These will be added to the documentary and historical repository maintained by the Authority, forming an important reference for researchers and those interested in the history of Oman and its cultural relations with East Africa.
The city of Mombasa and the Kenyan coast are rich with historical landmarks confirming the depth of the Omani presence, from historical forts, mosques, and archaeological cemeteries to old neighborhoods and markets, as well as ports, boats, and traditional sailing ships.