Constructing From Reminiscences: Indigenous Conflict Resolution Mechanisms among the Bakossi (Cameroon), C.1750-2000
- January 16, 2021
- Posted by: RSIS Team
- Categories: IJRISS, Political Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue XII, December 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186
Ngome Elvis Nkome
University of Younde 1, Cameroon
ABSTRACT: The current social and political conflicts that characterize many post independent African states is indicative of the fact that existing western modeled national and international conflict prevention mechanisms have failed to provide lasting solutions to the different conflicts that the continent is renowned for. Drawing from the Bakossi ethnic group of Cameroon, this article argues that traditional African societies could offer more effective conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms based on the African’s strict respect for traditional symbols and institutions. We demonstrate that traditional Africa was not a conflict free society but that, the societies had evolved highly respected systems which did not permit the intensification of conflicts. We recount how some of these symbols/systems were effectively used in conflict situations among the Bakossi and at the same time calling for their re-appropriation in contemporary times. We argue that German and later British colonialism used and later discarded these mechanisms in abating conflicts. We have relied on oral tradition and some selected literature in gathering and presenting the data.
Keywords: Conflicts, Conflict Resolution, Bakossi, Indigenous Mechanisms, Ngwe.
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO STUDY
This paper examines the role played by different indigenous conflict solving mechanisms in Bakossi during the pre-colonial, colonial and post-independence eras. Prior to colonial incursion in the Bakossi country of south west Cameroon, there existed indigenous conflicts resolution, arbitration, and prevention mechanisms and these were used in settling inter-clan, individual or village conflicts of different magnitudes. The fact that these institutions existed is indicative of the fact that Bakossi society like other African societies was not
