The role of traditional institutions in conflict resolution among Okija people

Abstract

Similar to the concept of culture, resolving disagreements is also a way of life. Prior to colonial rule and the establishment of a regular court system in Nigeria, Okija had a method of dispute settlement that was deemed simple, inexpensive, and amicable. Therefore, the specific objective of the study was to identify traditional institutions for conflict resolution in the Okija peace processes among Okija people in Ihiala local government area of Anambra state. Purposive sampling method was adopted to select four community leaders or chiefs from each of the four communities that covered the study location, making a total sample size of 16 for the study. The selection of the leaders was based on their expertise in Okija's traditional dispute resolution procedures and institutions. A qualitative technique, the in-depth interview, was used in the study to garner the primary data. The study found that the traditional institutions for conflict resolution included the Ezi (the family), Okpara (elders), Umunna (men who are born into the clan), Umuada (women who were born into a clan), or NdiInyom (married women), Amala (the council of elders), Traditional Religious Approach (OgwugwuAkpu, OgwugwuMiri, Urashi, Akpunama, Osuajana), Secret societies, or the Masquerades. This study recommended the greater inclusion of these traditional institutions in conflict resolution among people instead, as they are closer to people at the grassroots than the formal institutions for conflict resolution in the contemporary period.