Chalo Chatu:Oral History Protocol Pack

This protocol pack provides standard procedures and documentation tools for collecting, submitting, and verifying oral history for use on Chalo Chatu.

Chalo Chatu recognises that much of Zambia’s history is unwritten. Oral tradition, local testimonies, and cultural memory are essential and accepted forms of documentation—if collected and verified properly.

This protocol ensures that oral history is collected ethically, stored professionally, and used transparently on the platform.

---

1. Interview Procedure

All oral history contributors must follow these steps:

1. Plan the topic (e.g. traditional practice, protest event, historical site)
2. Identify a reliable source (e.g. elder, traditional leader, witness)
3. Request permission and collect formal or audio consent
4. Conduct the interview (audio or note-taking)
5. Log the date, time, location, and participants
6. Transcribe or summarise clearly
7. Submit the source with your draft article using the submission template
8. Tag the article with {{Oral history}} after Editorial Board approval

---

2. Consent Declaration Template

```wikitext

Oral History Consent

Name of Source: Mr/Mrs/Chief ___________
Role/Title: ___________________________
Interviewed by: _______________________
Date: _________________________________
Location: _____________________________

Declaration: I, the above-named source, consent to have my testimony recorded and used for documentation and educational purposes on the Chalo Chatu platform. I understand it may be quoted, archived, and attributed accordingly.

Signature/Thumbprint: ________________ Witness: _____________________________

Oral History Source Documentation

Collector: Isaac Kanguya
Topic: Kalomo Slave Tree
Source: Chief Chikanta
Date of Interview: 18 July 2025
Location: Kalomo, Southern Province
Type: In-person (audio recorded)
Summary: The chief described the significance of the slave tree, its protection by local elders, and oral accounts passed down from ancestors.

Verification status: Pending / Verified / Flagged Notes: Second oral source to be added from neighbouring headman

Chalo Chatu Oral History Validation Log

Date	Topic	Source	Collector	Status	Verified By
18 Jul 2025	Kalomo Slave Tree	Chief Chikanta	I. Kanguya	Verified	S. Zulu
22 Jul 2025	Songwe Hills Myth	Elder Mutale	G. Nalungwe	Pending

5. Storage & Confidentiality Guidelines

• All oral history files (audio, scanned forms, notes) must be stored securely in the Chalo Chatu archive (digital or physical)

• Each file must have metadata: collector, date, topic, location, language

• Sensitive or sacred content must be flagged and not published without board clearance

• All submissions remain confidential until reviewed and cleared for public release

6. Use of {{Oral history}} Template

Once the oral source is approved, include this at the top of the article: {{Oral history}}

This tag:

• Informs readers that the article is based on verified oral accounts
• Automatically adds the article to tracking categories:

[[Category:Articles based on oral history]]
[[Category:Needs secondary sources]]

7. Misuse or Fabrication

Any false or misrepresented oral testimony will result in:

• Immediate article removal
• Contributor suspension
• Possible permanent ban depending on severity

This protocol pack is issued by the Editorial Board of Chalo Chatu. Last updated: 1 August 2025.