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ABSTRACT
Despite the availability of numerous studies on the issue of indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms, the process and ritual practices have not been explored in detail. Thus, the objective of this study is to examine the process and ritual practices during conflict resolution by shimgelina. To achieve these objectives, the study involved fourteen purposely selected shimageles and five conflicting parties for in-depth interviews, and three key informants. Personal observation and document reviews were used to collect data. In addition, one Focus Group Discussion, containing seven Idir leaders, was held to generate rich data about the issue. Thematic categorisation and analysis were used to examine the collected data. This study reveals that shimageles are employing a series of processes of conflict resolution with different ritual practices. Furthermore, this study argues that each ritual practice has its own importance in the process of conflict resolution. Despite the existence of different rituals that are important for conflict resolution and transformation, the shimageles and conflicting parties have fewer adherences to those ritual practices. Therefore, the study recommends that unless the rituals which are important for conflict resolution are strictly followed, the capacity of the shimageles to perform their conflict resolution role is undermined and remains elusive.
Acknowledgements
It is a pleasure for me to thank the interviewees and FGD participants for their participation and commitment. This study would not have been complete without their willingness to share their experience.
Glossary of terms
| Abegars: | = | Muslim religious fathers. |
| Gada: | = | Oromo traditional administrative institution. |
| Idir: | = | Social organisation for funeral and other purposes. |
| Kahasa: | = | A compensation paid by the offender for the victim. |
| Seera: | = | Indigenous conflict resolution institution in Kembata People. |
| Shimageles: | = | Elders facilitating conflict resolution. |
| Shimgelina: | = | A process of conflict resolution by the elders. |
| Wofa Legesse: | = | An elder known by his conflict resolution in North Shoa. |
| Ye- shekoch chilot: | = | The court of Abegars. |
| Yajoka: | = | Gurage traditional administrative institution. |
Notes
1 Nader, ‘Conflict: Anthropological Aspect’.
2 Coser, ‘Conflict: Social Aspects International Encyclopedia’.
3 Schellenberg, Conflict Resolution.
4 Gulliver, Disputes & Negotiations.
5 Bob-Manuel, ‘A Cultural Approach to Conflict Transformation’.
6 Zartman, ‘Conflict Management’.
7 Zewude, ‘Systems of Local Governance among the Gurage’.
8 Arsano, ‘Seera: A Traditional Institution of Kambata’.
9 Hinew, ‘History of Oromo Social Organization’.
10 Zleke, ‘Ye-Shakoch Chilot: The Court of the Sheikhs’.
11 Melaku and Wubshet, ‘Customary Dispute Resolution in Amhara Region’.
12 Bamlak, Assessment of Indigenous Conflict Resolution Systems.
13 Tesfaw, ‘Ethiopian Women; Agents and Subjects in the Shimglna’.
14 Wolff, Ethnic Conflict: A Global Perspective.
15 Galtung, Peace by Peaceful Means.
16 Chinyanganya and Johns, ‘The South Sudan Conflict’.
17 Ibid.
18 Christopher, ‘Constitution an Accommodation of Ethnic Diversity in Ethiopia’.
19 Alem, Ethnic Pluralism as an Organizing Principle of the Ethiopian Federation.
20 Fisha, ‘Federalism and the Threat of Local Tyranny’.
21 Humphreys, ‘Natural Resources, Conflict, and Conflict Resolution’.
22 Unruh, ‘Changing Conflict Resolution Institutions in the Ethiopian Pastoral Commons’.
23 Babo, ‘Traditional Mechanisms of Conflict Resolution in Modern Africa’.
24 Cheal, Family and the State of Theory.
25 Mac, ‘Hybrid Peace’.
26 Aiyedun and Ordor, ‘Integrating the Traditional With the Contemporary in Dispute Resolution in Africa’.
27 Irele and Jeyifo, The Oxford Encyclopedia of African Thought.
28 Bahta, ‘Popular Dispute Resolution Mechanisms in Ethiopia’.
29 Lawler, A Question of Values.
30 Solomon and Quinney, American Negotiating Behavior.
31 Lederach, The Moral Imagination.
32 Geddes, Drink the Bitter Root.
33 Brock-Utne, ‘Indigenous Conflict Resolution in Africa’.
34 Velthuizen, ‘Listen to Us – We Know the Solution’.
35 Mengesha, Yesuf, and Gebre, ‘Indigenous Conflict Resolution Mechanisms’.
36 Mazrui, Mazrui, and Mazrui, The Power of Babel.
37 Mengesha, Yesuf, and Gebre, ‘Indigenous Conflict Resolution Mechanisms’.
38 Ibid.
39 Singleton and Shingler, Africa in Perspective.
40 Long and Brecke, War and Reconciliation.
41 Ajayi and Buhari, ‘Methods of Conflict Resolution in African Traditional Society’.
42 Isaac, ‘Making the Case for Ethiopian Civilization’.
43 Zewde, Ethiopia: The Challenge of Democracy from Below.
44 Jalata, ‘Gadaa (Oromo Democracy)’.
45 Gebregeorgis, ‘Women's Positions in Customary Conflict Resolution Institutions’.
46 Muchie and Bayeh, ‘Traditional Conflict Resolution Mechanisms’.
47 Onwudiwe, ‘Law and Justice in Post-British Nigeria’.
48 Elechi et al., ‘Restoring Justice (Ubuntu)’.
49 Woubishet, ‘Spirit Medium as an Institution for Dispute Resolution in North Shoa’.
50 Gowak, ‘Alternative Dispute Resolution in Ethiopia’.
51 Daniel, ‘Major Features of Indigenous Conflict Resolution Mechanisms in Ethiopia’.
52 Anand and Watson, ‘Tournament Rituals in the Evolution of Fields’.
53 Bell, Ritual: Perspectives and Dimensions.
54 Hamado and Chala, ‘The Indigenous Oromo Peacemaking Ritual’.
55 Central Statistical Authority of Ethiopia, National Housing and Population Census Report.
56 Velthuizen, ‘Listen to Us – We Know the Solution’.
57 Tesfaw, ‘Ethiopian Women; Agents and Subjects in the Shimglna’.
58 Edosa, ‘Mediating Criminal Matters in Ethiopian Criminal Justice System’.
59 Tesfaw, ‘Ethiopian Women; Agents and Subjects in the Shimglna’.
60 Edosa, ‘Mediating Criminal Matters in Ethiopian Criminal Justice System’.
61 Interview with Shimagles in Woldia Town, 2019.
62 Brock-Utne, ‘Indigenous Conflict Resolution in Africa’.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Belay Asmare
Belay Asmare is an Assistant Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies in the Department of Political Science and International Relations, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia.