Aborigines-Migrant Settlers Crisis and Reconstruction Efforts in two Yoruba Communities in South Western Nigeria

Abstract

Communities coexist for several reasons. Many traditional Yoruba communities are not an exemption as quite a number of communities were brought together partially based on the need to fight against a common enemy as well as prevent invasion. Ile-Ife and Modakeke-Ife are two neighbouring communities demonstrating such historical
background. The communities have co-existed peaceful for several decades, shared many things in common including cases of intermarriages until they started having communal clashes. The crisis have caused significant changes to the existing social relations between the two communities, resulting in widespread breakdown of law and order, destruction of lives and properties as well as homelessness and dispossession of farmlands. Despite the intensity of the crisis and the overwhelming odds, the communities have remained as neighbours. What are the sources of the communities’ resilience amidst the disaster? Forty Seven in-depth interviews were held with two
groups of adults (youths and the elderly) on gender basis who are residents in the two communities. Findings revealed that informal social network and some formal community institutions were the most significant factors enhancing participants’ resilience during and after the crisis. However, the study also disturbingly revealed that
there is still bitterness centring on farm land rights within the community, and partisan politics have undermined previous efforts at addressing the issue. The study concludes that disrupted social networks could erode community cohesion and political factors
have the potential to further diminish resilience against crisis in the future.