Minnesdel
Minnesdel is a term used in memory studies and folklore to denote a fragment of memory that can contribute to reconstructing past events, identities, or practices. A minnesdel may be a vivid sensory image, a brief anecdote, a phrase, a memory of an object, or a fragment of a story that individuals or communities repeatedly recall. The concept emphasizes small, shareable pieces rather than full narratives, and it highlights how collective memory is built from numerous such fragments.
Etymology and scope: the word combines the word for memory with a component meaning part or piece,
Function and use: in research and practice, minnesdel items help researchers access lived experience by providing
Critique: because minnesdel relies on subjective recall and interpretation, its use requires careful methodological reflexivity. Researchers
See also: memory trace, oral history, mnemonic, cultural memory.