The Importance of Technology in Recording and Preserving Oral Literature: Evidence from the Sukuma Community of Usagara, Misungwi District, Mwanza Region
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61227/0rdx1521Keywords:
Oral Literature, Recording, Digital technology, Cultural preservation, Sukuma community, TanzaniaAbstract
This article examines how digital technology has transformed the recording, preservation, and dissemination of oral literature within the Sukuma community of Usagara Ward in Misungwi District, Mwanza Region, Tanzania. The study was guided by the Diffusion of Innovation Theory and employed a qualitative research approach supported by descriptive design. Data were collected from a sample of 45 participants, including oral artists, teachers, students, cultural practitioners, and community elders, selected through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Primary data were obtained through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and observation, while thematic analysis was used to interpret the findings. Trustworthiness was ensured through triangulation and member checking, while ethical considerations such as informed consent and confidentiality were strictly observed.Findings reveal that digital technologies such as mobile phones, audio recorders, video cameras, radio, television, and online platforms have significantly improved the preservation and accessibility of oral literature, with 84.4% of participants acknowledging their effectiveness in safeguarding oral traditions. The study further shows that digital tools enhance teaching and learning (68.9%), expand dissemination beyond local boundaries (77.8%), and strengthen cultural continuity (71.1%). However, 60% of participants expressed concerns regarding the loss of authenticity, reduced communal participation, and the transformation of oral performance dynamics in digitally mediated contexts. Despite these challenges, technology is widely perceived as a powerful tool for cultural preservation when appropriately applied.The article concludes that digital technology plays a dual role in both preserving and transforming oral literature, creating new opportunities for documentation, education, and global visibility while also introducing tensions related to authenticity and cultural integrity. It recommends strengthening community-based digital literacy, establishing structured oral literature archives, and developing cultural policies that protect indigenous intellectual property while promoting sustainable digital preservation practices.
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