Pastories

Pastories are a form of narrative practice in which communities collect, preserve, and perform stories about the past to transmit memory, shape identity, and explore shared values. They often mix documented events with interpretive embellishment, creating a layered record that serves both historical inquiry and social meaning. The term pastory is used by scholars to describe this hybrid genre, which emphasizes communal authorship and evolving memory rather than fixed chronologies.

Etymology and concept formation: the word pastory combines elements of “past” and “story,” signaling a focus on past events reimagined through storytelling. The term emerged in academic discussions of memory practices in the early 21st century and has since been adopted by communities that practice oral historiography in informal and formal settings.

Origins and practice: pastories develop in societies with strong oral traditions and limited access to written archives. They are often formed through community gatherings, family reunions, or local festivals, where narrators rotate and audiences contribute memories. Materials may include oral testimony, songs, acts, or recorded media, later written or transcribed for archiving. The purpose is not merely to recount events but to interpret them, connect generations, and negotiate collective meaning.

Characteristics and formats: pastories frequently employ three features: collaborative authorship, episodic structure, and performative delivery. They may exist as live performances, radio programs, or documented narratives in community archives. Story elements are flexible, with room for competing perspectives, revision, and reinterpretation as social values change.

Reception and critique: supporters view pastories as inclusive tools for democratizing history and sustaining cultural identity. Critics caution against the potential for distortion or manipulation when memory is used to advance present-day agendas.

See also: oral history, memory studies, folklore, storytelling.