Ode-Eshi and Inter-Communal Conflicts in Igboland: Focus On The Obeagu- Mgbalukwu And Ojiegbe Conflict, 1910-2007

Abstract

Inter-communal conflicts have remained a re-current event in the history of humanity, especially in the African continent. This form of armed  conflict is often driven by multiple factors that include resource and economic competition, cultural and religious defence as well as personal and  communal heritage protection. This study focuses on the inter-communal conflict between the Obeagu-Mgablukwu Isu on one hand and the  Ojiegbe Ezza people of Ebonyi State, Nigeria over a parcel of land. The study used random sampling method to purposively select key informants,  respondents and actors in the recurrent communal conflicts and they were interviewed. Archival documents on the conflict were also sourced from  the National Archives Enugu. The content analysis from both sources of data collection were thematically interpreted and the result revealed that  Odeshi was a popular culture used in the prosecution of the Obeagu-Mgbalukwu and Ojiegbe conflict. It revealed that the impact of the Odeshi has  continued to affect the people living in the conflict area in addition to the multiplier negative effects of the armed crisis. Consequently, the study  recommends public and private post-conflict peace building strategies that would be used in the management of the post conflict impact.