Designing a digital repository of oral history for the Ndere Cultural Centre

Abstract

The Ndere Cultural Center is a custodian of Uganda’s rich intangible heritage, housing extensive collections of traditional songs, dances, oral histories, and unique musical instruments from diverse ethnic groups. However, these cultural assets face threats from physical deterioration and restricted global accessibility. This project aimed to create a digital repository for the Center to help preserve and make its oral history archives easier to find. The objectives included identifying and categorizing the Center’s oral history collections; assessing existing preservation practices; note challenges in current archival systems; set requirements for a digital repository; and design a solution for secure, accessible, and sustainable storage and retrieval of audio-visual materials. The study used a mixed methods approach collecting both quantitative and qualitative data from 71 individuals including performers, administrators, curators. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews, observations an document analysis. Quantitative data was analyzed with SPSS, while qualitative data was examined using thematic analysis. The results showed that storing materials mainly on CDs and DVDs makes them hard to access and more likely to be lost. Most respondents supported creating an online platform to improve access. In response, the research team built a digital repository using Greenstone Digital Library software, which includes keyword and advanced search, filters, user authentication, and metadata tagging. The study found that a digital repository will help protect historical archives, support education, and encourage more people to connect with their heritage. The team recommends regular updates to the repository, ongoing staff training, and partnerships with government, academic, and cultural organizations to secure technical, financial, and professional support.