السلطة و رمزية التراث الشفوي

Abstract EN

This study aims to approach the issue of popular oral and cultural heritage by analyzing the joint existing between these three main concepts: popular culture, values, and power.

The study also aims to highlight the important role of popular culture in transmitting different values (political, social, religious, etc.) from one generation to another, which would establish the so-called social phantasm or common memory that preserves the cultural identity of societies.

The study shows that the issue of popular culture is put in a great paradox; on one hand, it is always present in all real-life situations helping to consolidate unity among the members of the social community, it is either marginalized or pragmatically exploited by political authorities on the other hand.

Accordingly, it is highly recommended to reconsider the value of popular and oral cultural heritage, which can only be achieved when the issue is considered at the intellectual level rather than the political one.

Hence, cultural issues ought to be discussed by intellectuals far from political considerations, and politicians’ temporary interests.