Symbolic Representation and Conflict Management in Africa

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue XII, December 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

Symbolic Representation and Conflict Management in Africa

Elias Nankap Lamle¹, Felix Ogbewe Aigbovbioisa^2
1Centre for Conflict Management and Peace Studies, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria
²Peace and Development Studies Programme, Salem University, Lokoja, Nigeria

Abstract: – Symbols have enabled a smooth flow of communication in precolonial Africa. It was the major means for which history was stored. Creative artistry works were used by the Africans to communicate their values and educate their people. Symbols were not just a mere aspect of African culture but the major means for which order was reached and formed the bases for enforcement where the need arose. Therefore, this work provides an explanation on symbolic representation and how it was used in time past and still being used by the indigenous Africans to manage conflict and for consensus building within the society. To this end, qualitative method was used to generate data where related literatures were reviewed to elucidate facts with conclusion and recommendations made for the benefit for further researches.

Keywords: African culture, Symbols, Symbolic Representation, Conflict Resolution, Conflict Management

I. INTRODUCTION

“Man is born free, but every where he is in chains” (Rousseau, 1754; cited in Masters, 1964). Conflict, as it were, is inevitable in human society. Anywhere humans are gathered, there is always a tendency for one form of conflict or another owing to the fact that people, most of the times, pursue incompatible goals, interests, status, values, beliefs, resources or positions that ultimately lead to mutual disagreements or conflicts. What the above implies is that Conflict is a natural phenomenon in the life of human beings which occurs in relation of interaction for socio-cultural, economic and political purposes. The above may have informed Aigbovbioisa (2018, p.1) to submit that “in man’s quest for survival and relational activities, there come scramble for limited resources, scramble for status or the recognition of it, holding of divergent opinions, views, interests, values, etc owing to differing educational, cultural, political, religious, social and ideological backgrounds which are all potential breeders of disagreement, conflict and even violence if not well tolerated, managed or resolved.” This assertion by Aigbovbioisa (2018, p.1) further gives credence to the submission by the renowned philosopher, Thomas Hobbs (1958) that “the human society exists in conflict not by accident but by the very nature of man, which makes him pitch against his fellow.”

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