When oral histories become the archive

‘10 People Stories’ traces everyday lives, lost traditions, and the subtle shifts in Nepal’s social and cultural fabric.

10 People Stories’ is a compilation of oral histories from the town of Panauti, written by Sunil Sainju and transcribed from Newa language to Nepali by Prashant Shrestha. The book brings together stories of ten individuals, mostly from the 1970s, reflecting the lives of people who witnessed and shaped the socio-cultural fabric of the town. Although framed as a historical collection, the book offers more of a personal and selective curation of memories rather than a comprehensive community chronicle.