Meaning of History – JSS1 Nigerian History Lesson Note (First Term)

History is the study of past events, especially human activities and how they have shaped our world.

• Origin of the word: “history” comes from the Greek word “Historia”, meaning “inquiry” or “knowledge acquired by investigation”.
• Main aim: history tries to be factual and based on evidence.
• Contrast with stories: a story may change with the teller, but history changes only when new evidence is found.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. State the meaning of history and the origin of the word.
2. List the key features of history.
3. Explain the difference between history and storytelling.
4. Identify myths, legends, fables, folktales and rumours as non-historical narratives.
5. State the importance of history to individuals and to society.
6. Name the ways in which history is studied and preserved.

What is history?

History is the study of how and why things happened in the past and how they influence the present.

• More than dates: history is not only the memorising of dates and names.
• What we examine: the lives of people before us, the societies they built, their challenges and their decisions.

What are the key features of history?

There are seven key features of history.

• Factual: it is based on facts and evidence from the past.
• Investigative: it needs research to find out what really happened.
• Open to change: it is revised when new information about the past is found.
• Continuous: every day that passes becomes history.
• Chronological: it is time-based and arranged in order of time.
• Source-based: it relies on documents, artefacts, buildings and oral traditions.
• Explanatory: it tries to explain what happened and why it happened.

What evidence do historians use?

Historians use written, material and oral evidence to build an accurate picture of the past.

• Written evidence: old letters, diaries, newspapers and government records.
• Material evidence: artefacts such as tools, weapons and pottery, and also buildings, monuments and works of art.
• Oral evidence: stories passed down through generations by word of mouth.

What are primary and secondary sources?

Historical sources are grouped into primary and secondary sources.

• Primary source: evidence from the time being studied, such as a letter, a tool or an eyewitness account.
• Secondary source: a later account written or made from primary sources, such as a textbook.

What is the difference between history and storytelling?

History is an evidence-based account of the past, while storytelling is the telling of tales that may mix fact with imagination.

What do history and storytelling have in common?

History and storytelling both deal with human experience and the past.

• Understanding: both help us understand human experience.
• Learning: both can inform and educate.
• Enjoyment: both can entertain and hold attention.
• Culture: both pass cultural values from one generation to the next.
• Connection: both help people connect with their past.

When does the line between them become blurred?

• Oral traditions: they may contain real facts mixed with legendary elements.
• Historical films: they may add made-up characters or speech while showing real events.
• Remedy: knowing fact from fiction lets us judge such works with critical thinking.

What are the types of non-historical narratives?

There are five common non-historical narratives: myths, legends, fables, folktales and rumours.

• Myths: traditional stories that explain nature, customs or religious beliefs, often with gods or supernatural beings. Examples: Greek myths about Zeus, and African stories of how the world began.
• Legends: traditional stories based on a real person or event, with added fictional elements. Examples: King Arthur in England and Sango in Yoruba culture.
• Fables: short stories that teach a moral lesson, often with animals acting like humans. Examples: “The Tortoise and the Hare” and Yoruba tales of the clever tortoise.
• Folktales: traditional stories passed down within a culture, often with magic and cultural values. Examples: “Cinderella” in Europe and Anansi the Spider tales in West Africa.
• Rumours: unverified information that spreads from person to person with no confirmed source.

Why are rumours not reliable as historical sources?

• Cannot be verified: there is no way to check them.
• Change as they spread: each person may add or remove details.

Are non-historical narratives useful?

• Not strict history: they are not history in the strict sense.
• Still valuable: they show the values, beliefs and concerns of past societies.

Why is history important to the individual?

History helps a person understand society, know who they are and think clearly.

• Understanding society: it shows how present societies, governments and cultures developed.
• Sense of identity: family, community and national history show us who we are and where we come from.
• Store of knowledge: it gives examples of how people solved problems and made new things.
• Critical thinking: it teaches us to test evidence, question sources and draw fair conclusions.
• Empathy: learning about people of other times and places helps us respect other views.
• Context for current events: it shows the roots of today’s issues.
• Patriotism and good citizenship: knowing our nation’s successes and failures builds informed love of country.
• Learning from mistakes: a well-known saying is “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”.
• Cultural awareness: it introduces us to different cultures, traditions and ways of life.
• Inspiration: stories of courage and achievement inspire us.

Why is history important to society and nations?

History helps a society keep its heritage, stay united and plan its future.

• Preserves cultural heritage: it keeps traditions, values and practices alive across generations.
• Promotes national identity and unity: shared struggles and achievements unite people from different backgrounds.
• Aids national development: knowing past patterns helps a society build on successes and avoid old failures.
• Promotes understanding among ethnic groups: in a multi-ethnic country like Nigeria, it helps groups understand one another and live in peace.
• Guides policy and planning: knowing what worked and what failed helps governments decide well.
• Strengthens democratic citizenship: informed citizens can judge political claims and hold leaders accountable.
• Protects the truth: accurate history stops the distortion of the past for political purposes.
• Supports conflict resolution: knowing the roots of a conflict helps societies seek peace.
• Informs international relations: knowing past links between nations helps diplomacy and cooperation.
• Gives lessons from experience: societies learn from both successes and failures.

How is history studied and preserved?

History is studied and preserved through eight main methods.

• Written records: letters, diaries, newspapers, government records and books.
• Oral traditions: stories passed down by word of mouth where writing was limited.
• Archaeological evidence: buildings, tools, pottery and other remains that show how people lived.
• Monuments and heritage sites: historic places where the past is remembered.
• Museums and archives: places that collect, keep and display documents and artefacts for research and education.
• Academic research: historians find new information and give new explanations of events.
• Education: schools and universities teach each new generation about the past.
• Digital preservation: documents and artefacts are scanned and stored electronically so more people can reach them.

Evaluation

1. What is history, and where does the word come from?
2. State four key features of history.
3. Give three differences between history and storytelling.
4. What is the difference between a myth and a legend? Give one example of each.
5. Why are rumours not reliable as historical sources?

Assignment

List five ways in which studying history is important to an individual, then explain any two of them. Name four ways in which history is studied and preserved.