Abstract: This essay is devoted to the understanding of conflict resolution and peace-making according to the Ekpeye people of Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State. It considers the significance attached by the people to conflict resolution in religious, moral, political and social experiences. The essay investigates, what, in the people’s opinion, constitute a conflict, who initiates it, its causes, and the relationship between conflict and violence. This study further considers the concept of conflict resolution from the Ekpeye perspective and its significance to the development of Ekpeyeland. Using an ethnographic approach, the essay reveals that the Ekpeye have a good understanding of what constitute a conflict and the basic causes of conflict in Ekpeye land are clash of personal and group interests, selfishness and disobedience. The study holds that there is a significant coloration between conflict and violence. In Ekpeyeland conflict is usually resolved by oath taking and eating of sacred meal administered by a traditional chief priest, a community leader or both. This in turn enhances socio-economic, cultural, religious and political developments in Ekpeyeland.
Keywords: Pastoral Response, Ekpeye, social experiences.
Title: Conflict Resolution and Peace-Making in Traditional View of Ekpeye People: A Pastoral Response
Author: Dr. Patrick Eluke
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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