Current Institutional Affiliation
Dr, History and International Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Award Information

Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa: Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowship 2015
Institutional Affiliation (at time of award):
Department of History and International Studies, University of Nigeria
Traditional Peacebuilding in Nigeria: The Case of the Umuada (Daughters of the Community) in Igboland up to 2010

Considering the prevalence of protracted, intractable and new forms of conflict in Africa, there have been agitations for the adoption of 'bottom up' approaches. Mainly, the involvement of local actors and groups are being canvassed and experimented. Unfortunately, new problems have continued to trail such attempts. However, the incorporation of those resilient traditional peacebuilding practices and values that are rooted in the people's belief system into formal peacebuilding mechanisms seems to be the best alternative. Among the Igbo of Nigeria, peacebuilding is perceived as a continuous process that involves various indigenous groups, including the Umuada (daughters of the community) which, in spite of time, has continued to bestride the peacebuilding practice in the society. As this research seeks to do, the direct interaction with the members and other traditional groups would surely unravel the origin, roles, potentials and adaptability of the Umuada to modern peacebuilding activities.

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