Cultural context and historical text

What is the importance of history for different people? As it is the case with most explanations in the historical discipline, the answer is not simple. Despite the difficulties, the author gives a global explanation of the idea of historical consciousness and its meaning in the South African situation in comparance with developments elsewhere in the world. He reflects on the role of identity and culture in history and their impact on human society. Two basic questions about the nature and role of historical consciousness are put: is historical knowledge a mirroring of the ideas of social groups to help them establish their own identity or does it instead call into question pre-rationally formed identities? In his broader definition the author suggests to take a view of tendencies of long duration instead of concentrating exclusively on people and events. South Africans lack a common history and a common culture, although they have a shared past. This creates specific challenges for the role of history in society