1. Collecting Oral History
Qatar Olympic & Sport Museum
Luis Henrique Rolim Silva • Head of Research
International Museum Day Celebration
Doha, 18th 2010

2. Al Wakra – football 70s
We used to challenge: the loser pay the Pepsi [soft drink]. We play for Pepsi; Pepsi cola or Miranda or whatever it is. The losers pay for the winner team […] we really play real football; even it is just for amateurs but still challenging. It is fun. We play every day. Every day we play football! Summer time starts after 4 [pm]; winter time after 2:30 [pm]. We play up to al Marab; the sunset. There was not light system. We use to play with the daylight. Whenever has daylight, has football! Whenever doesn’t has daylight, the football stop.

3. Is it true? How do you believe in the story of someone?
Who is talking?
What is your relation with this person?
When is talking?
Why is telling this for you?
How is telling the story?

4. Is it true? How do you believe in the story of someone?
It is a mix of factors
It is subjective issue
How can I control all or perhaps understand the factors?

5. Demystifying concepts
The “true history”
or “official history”
History of the books
Idea of “histories”
Context
Different interpretations

6. Demystifying concepts
Representation of the past event
Critical review of the source (inside and outside)
“One history of my lecture” but not “the history”

7. Interviews The same interview? Subjective Thematic
Past representation through the people that lived that past event
Oral History

8. Oral History
To understand the past through oral reports of people who lived during specific moment in the past
Memories
To treat in the same way that we treat the written sources

9. Research Project Preliminary questions: Why we will do this?
What is the purpose?
With whom we will do this?
How we will do?
When we will do?

10. Qatar Olympic & Sport Museum Oral History Project
Collecting memories, preserving the Qatari sport history
To preserve the Qatar sport memory and contribute to construct the Qatar sport history
Interviews with people who helped or/and help to create the sport in the country

11. Collecting memories, preserving the Qatari sport history
Why we are doing?
Unique opportunity to talk with the Qatari sport pioneers
Qatari cultural practices
Oral tradition: Majlis

12. Collecting memories, preserving the Qatari sport history
What are our purposes?
To preserve heritage for the future generations about the people who did/do the sport in the country;
To create a Qatar sport history through interviews with the people who did/do the sport in the country;
To present a Qatar sport history connected with the culture of the country and make the QOSM a Qatari window to this country for the world.

13. Collecting memories, preserving the Qatari sport history
Who can be interviewed?
Qataris and non-Qataris
Targets:
Authorities;
Athletes;
Coaches;
General staff;
And fans, supporters, etc.

14. Collecting memories, preserving the Qatari sport history
How we are doing this?
Thematic interview
Interview is not-structured
General guideline
Interview procedures: recorded document by voice and video

15. Collecting memories, preserving the Qatari sport history
Interview procedures: recorded document by voice and video
How do you like to appear?
Where do you like to do it?
Do you speak Arabic or English?
How long can be?
Alone or with your team partners?

16. Collecting memories, preserving the Qatari sport history
What will happen with the information?
Ethical Procedures
Agreement Form

17. Collecting memories, preserving the Qatari sport history
Transcription steps:
Literal Transcription
Return to interviewee read and check
Fidelity Check
Delivered one copy

18. Collecting memories, preserving the Qatari sport history
When we are doing our project?
Collecting preliminary interviews and potential interviewees

19. Qatari sport voices
I stayed [working] with handicap from a long time, but this day, it was the best day in my life: when we get this building. They finished handball game; they go play, same players, same teams they go play volleyball. They finished… they go play basketball. I [was] born in Rayan Club. I grow up in Rayan Club. I played many games in Rayan Club. I started by volleyball, then I played basketball. I tried to play football but I was not good enough; so they kick me out! We brought people here from Europe, to school the people [to be] judge, [teach] the rules of this sport. When we get the other from [His Highness] Sheik Hamad that we want to have the Asian Games; I thought: it is not easy; I thought: it is dream!

20. Final Remarks
Collecting histories and the importance to use a research project
First step to construct the history
A representation of the history in a specific moment

21. Luis Henrique Rolim Silva lsilva@qma.org.qa / (+974) 7114781
Shukran! Thank you!
Luis Henrique Rolim Silva
/ (+974)
International Museum Day Celebration
Doha, 18th 2010