Cultural Narratives and Their Role in Shaping Historical Memory

Abstract

The present paper explores the effects that the cultural narratives have on the historical memory by showing how the stories, symbols and traditions can be used as potent instruments in collective identity construction.  Based on the use of historical records, literary texts and explanatory paradigms, the study identifies shared themes such as mythologization, selective memory and framing of stories, as some of the notable processes through which societies alter the history.  Results indicate that cultural narratives can be more than salvaging heritage as power relationships are expressed by the discourse of what voices are heard and which is silenced.  Quantitative patterns indicate that communities always find it easier to give harder weight to those stories that concur with the prevailing political or cultural notions. Qualitative study in contrast helps in illustrating the role played by marginalized groups in rephrasing the memory through counter narratives.  The findings show that historical memory is not a permanent record but a negotiated construction that is affected by the difference in cultural discourses.  Further, the study indicates that the systems of memory conveyance through literature, the media, and education are critical in justification of power, maintenance of traditions and the ability of resilience.  The study explains the complex interactions involving culture and history to improve our understanding of how societies memorialize, reinterpret and confront their histories.