AN ASSESSMENT OF THE HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF SOCIAL CONFLICT AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN ABUA SINCE 1800

Abstract

This study, “An assessment of the historical evolution of social conflict and conflict management strategies in Abua since 1800” is an evaluation of the several indigenous mechanisms responsible for the management of conflicts in Abua. The aim of this study is to provide an understanding of how conflicts are managed in Abua. The study uses the primary, secondary, and multidisciplinary sources to generate the needed data. It adopts the use of the Relational Theory and Relative Derivation Theory as templates for the analysis. The research reveals that the main forms and causes of conflicts in Abua are land and boundary disputes, chieftaincy tussles, inter/intra communal crisis, familial crises, youth restiveness and cult related conflict. The study further shows that in Abua, there are several indigenous institutions responsible for the management of conflicts, and these includes; the kingship institution, the family institution, age-grade, women’s club and the masquerade cult. The research reveals that when there are incidents of conflict in Abua, these aforementioned institutions are seldom consulted, and were necessary, they deliver verdicts based on their conviction and understanding of the matter at hand. The paper establishes that, although not all issues are effectively handled by these institutions, they, however, provide an alternative form of dispute resolution mechanism away from the contemporary legal court system. The study, thus, recommends that the government should enhance and strengthen its partnership with local indigenous institutions, establish structured collaboration between traditional and formal institutions, as well as help to preserve indigenous peacebuilding practices, as this would help in the maintenance of law and order in the kingdom. It concludes that traditional institutions in Abua play a vital role in ensuring that peace, security and tranquility is achieved among and between the people of the region.