DWINDLING TRADITIONAL PRACTICES IN CONFLICT RESOLUTIONS AND RESTORATION OF SOCIAL ORDER IN UBAKALAABIA STATE, NIGERIA

OGADINMA IKONNE, OKPAN SAMUEL

Abstract


African traditional practices are gradually becoming unpopular because of western civilization and industrialization. The dwindling native practices and conflict resolutions in Ubakala are explored. The aims are to find out the traditional practices in conflict resolution; the extent to which the traditional practices in conflict resolution have been weakened by western civilization; the extent to which the dwindling strength of the traditional agents of conflict resolution have affected conflict resolution and social order; and the strategies for strengthening the traditional practices in conflict resolution to enhance social orderinUbakala respectively.Data were generated through mixed methods. Questionnaire was used to collect information from 504 respondents in Ubakala complemented by twenty-four (24)in-depth interviews (IDIs) organized in Ubakala. Data were analyzed with simple percentages/distribution tables, charts, chi-square statistic, ANOVA using SPSS 20.0 and content analyses. The analyses show that the weakening strengths of masquerade cults (Ekpo Unions), married first daughters (Umuada),traditional ruler's/village heads (ndiezenandinzenaozo), and age grades as traditional agents of conflict resolution and social order, have significant negative effects on peaceful resolution of physical violence cases, abortion cases/teenage pregnancies, land disputes and maintenance of law and order respectively. This has become a challenge to restoration of social order as it has resulted in so many disputes in Ubakala being taken to the police and courts where justice is usually prolonged and at times denied. It was therefore recommended that to strengthen the fabric of our communities and enhance security and development of our communities, there is need to revive and reinforce the republican nature of our society; and rebuild the altered social structure which is the very essence of our existence.

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