Oral history /oral tradition is an important component of all cultures. In small and isolated non-literate groups the framework of cultures rests almost wholly on the oral traditions. Knowledge, both sacred and secular, is transmitted from generation to generation by word of mouth. Spoken word and memory play a crucial role in the transmission of the cultural heritage. The significance of oral traditions is in no way impaired in great civilizations for, the latter represent the co-existence of a great tradition along with several little traditions. In societies characterized by high industrialization and urbanization the hold and power of oral tradition definitely shrink, but his this tradition does not disappear altogether.
Oral tradition is largely anonymous. In a great sense it represent collective experience and wisdom. It imperceptibly absorb what comes from many sources individuals, inside groups, and outside groups. The lessons learned by several generations through experience are crystallized into it. However, it is not unchanging. People involve; they have to respond to new challenges in new ways. The more successful of these responses get absorbed into the oral tradition. With the growth of culture there inevitably are changes in the oral tradition; at the same time changes in this tradition are instrumental in inspiriting changes in the culture on a large scale.
In some societies a part of the oral tradition can be extremely valuable in the reconstruction of history. Of course, not all oral tradition leads to historical reconstruction. In many tribal societies remembered history of a few generations tends to merge into mythology. Folktales, built around certain motifs having a global distribution, are the least reliable from the point of view of writing history.