Indigenous Communication in Conflict Resolution and Promoting Democracy: The Case of Wajjarat Community, Southern Tigray
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Date
2011-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This research was carried out to asses the position of indigenous communication in
conflict resolution and democratization of the Wajjarat community in the southern part
of Tigray. To conduct this study, the researcher employed the qualitative methodology.
Focus group discussions, in depth interview and participant observation were used to
obtain the necessary data from the sample respondents in three kebelles namely Gonkua,
Bahri Tseba and Senale. On top of this, the research observed at various scholarly articles
related to the role of indigenous communication in conflict resolution and promoting
democracy. The findings of the study showed that conflict prevails in Wajjarat
community. The conflicts are mostly caused by Hizaeti (grazing land), farm land and
Hayam.The study also revealed that in the traditional conflict resolution, the community
mostly employs the win - win approach on which there is neither a looser nor a winner,
but issues are compromised for mutual gain. Moreover, it was found that indigenous
media seem to be more appropriate than the modern ones or the court in conflict
resolution because they are not easily exposed to bribery , are good at bringing
sustainable peace, and they are more helpful in time management. Finally, the study
showed that although the indigenous media appears to be more appropriate, they do have
their own constraints. The limitations are like extravagance, unwise spending of time
(although they are still better than the modern ones or the court).
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Keywords
Conflict Resolution