The Effectiveness of Conflict Resolution Process among Traditional Leaders: A Case Study of Mumbwa District

Kennedy Kapata¹, Harrison Daka^2, , Kalisto Kalimaposo³, Lydia Mukuka Mulenga – Hagane², Alex Mugala² and Chidongo Phiri²

¹Department of Language and Social Sciences Education, University of Zambia

²Department of Educational Administration and Policy Studies, University of Zambia

³Department of Psychology, Sociology and Special Education, University of Zambia

Cite this paper:
Kennedy Kapata, Harrison Daka, Kalisto Kalimaposo, Lydia Mukuka Mulenga – Hagane, Alex Mugala and Chidongo Phiri. The Effectiveness of Conflict Resolution Process among Traditional Leaders: A Case Study of Mumbwa District. World Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. 2023; 9(2):57-63. doi: 10.12691/wjssh-9-2-2

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to access the effectiveness of traditional conflict process in the rural parts of Mumbwa Districts. The following objectives formed the research; to identify the common types of conflict/ cases reported in the villages of Mumbwa District; to determine the practice of traditional conflict resolution among traditional leaders in Mumbwa District, to assess the effectiveness of traditional conflict resolution outcomes as compared to convention method in Mumbwa District. This research applied a qualitative approach that used a descriptive design. The study sample included nine village members, nine village committee members, nine village headmen, one chief/representative, one criminal investigation officer and one clerk of court making a total of thirty participants. Purposive sampling technique was used to sample the participants. Data was generated using semi structured interviews and focus discussions. The data that was collected was analyses mainly using qualitative process. The study revealed that marriage dispute, witchcraft accusation, land dispute, crop damage by domestic animals, adultery, use of insulting language, early marriages, disrespectfulness, not taking care of the family, minor assaults, gender based violence and boundary issues are the common cases that are reported in the villages of Mumbwa District. The study also revealed that, members of the village of Mumbwa preferred to report cases to traditional conflict resolution court as opposed to conventional method where the statutory courts are used. The study further revealed that traditional resolution outcomes were effective. The study recommended the need for strengthening methods used in traditional conflict resolution such as negotiation, mediation and arbitration as well as documentation. The study also recommended the need for a herdsman to take care of animals that are kept in open areas. The study further recommended the need for village committee members to educate their members about the consequences of committing offences. The study also recommended the need for traditional leaders to document the practices of handling conflicts in traditional courts.

Keywords:
conflict resolution traditional leadership dispute resolution restitution retribution

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	Mulenga-Hagane, L.M (2021). Retention Of Girls In School In The Face Of Absenteeism And Early Marriages: Implications For The 2011 Education Act (PhD, Thesis) Lusaka: The University of Zambia.
[2]	Stapleton, A. (2007). ‘Legal traditions and Values in Inherited from Britain Colonial Past’ in Access to justice and beyond. Making Rule of Law a Reality. Chicago: Penal Reform International and the Bluhm Legal Clinic of the North western University School of Law Chicago.
[3]	Nwalose, O.B.C (2004) in Mezie-Okoye (2017). Traditional and Western Mechanism of Conflict Management: A case study Aguleri Umulericrisis, Anambra state. PhD dissertation, University of Port Harcourt.
[4]	Daka, H., Mwelwa, K., Chibamba, A. C.,Mkandawire, S. B. and Phiri, D. (2020). The Role of Traditional Leadership in Ending Early Child Marriages for Education: Experiences from Kalonga Gawa Undi Chiefdom of Katete District, Zambia. Malcolm Moffat Multidisciplinary Journal of Research and Education, 1, (1), 101-121.
[5]	Daka, H., Phiri, D., Chipindi, F. M., Nachimwenda, E. (2021). Value of Traditional Ceremonies in Socio-Economic Development. A Case of Some Selected Traditional Ceremonies in Zambia. International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education, 8 (2); 134-141.
[6]	Morton, D. (2000). Cooperation and Competition In the Handbook Conflict Resolution; Theoretical and Practise, Eds San Franscisco: Jossey-bass Publishers.
[7]	Larson, B.C and Mildred, A.D (2000). Conflict in Organization. San Francisco; Jossey-Bass.
[8]	Berkeley, U.C (2022). Resolving Conflict Situation. University of California. Downloaded on 20-3-22.
[9]	Omotosho, M (2004) Evaluating Conflict and Conflict Management: A Conceptual Understanding in Africa, Journal of International Affairs and Development, 9 (182).
[10]	Meeks, H.K (2005). Conflict Resolution Issues and Strategies. Harare. Zimbabwe Open University.
[11]	John, J. L. (1998). Group thinks. Psychology Today, November.
[12]	Wilmate, E. and Hocker, C.B (1998). Conflict: A Better Way to Reserve Them. London Harrap.Conflict
[13]	Sakala, J., B. (2014) Role of the Judiciary in the Enforcement of Human Rights in Zambia. African Books Collective.
[14]	Olaoba, O.B. (2000). The Traditional Approaches to Conflict Resolution in the South West Zone of Nigeria. Nigeria Army Quarterly Journal 1, 22-37
[15]	William, Z.I. (2000). Traditional Cures for Modern Conflict Africa Conflict Medicine, Lynne Reiner Publisher Inc.
[16]	Merriam, S.B.and Tisdell, E.J. (2016). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation.4th Edition. California: Jossey-Bass.
[17]	Mishra, L. (2016). Focus group discussion in qualitative research. Techo LEARN vol.6: No 1: June 2016. Published online.
[18]	Creswell, J.W. (2012). Education research: Planning, conducting and evaluating and qualitative research. 4th Edition. New York: Pearson.
[19]	Bui, N.Y. (2009). How to Write a Master’s Thesis. London: Longman.
[20]	Chipindi, F. M., Serenje-Chipindi, J and Daka, H. (2021). An Analysis of Epistemological Considerations in Educational Research. Journal of Lexicography and Terminology, 4 (2), 105-118.
[21]	Phiri, M., Musonda, A and Daka, H. (2020). The Effects of Chinamwali Initiation Schools on Girl Child Education. A Case of Selected Public Primary Schools of Katete District, Zambia. Malcolm Moffat Multidisciplinary Journal of Research and Education 1, (1), 137-155.
[22]	Mulenga-Hagane, L.M and Mwanza, P (2018) Retention of Girls in School through the Implementation of the 2011 Education Act in Lusaka and Central Provinces of Zambia in International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education, 5 (7), PP 73-80.
[23]	Mkandawire, S. B. and Daka, H. (2018). Cultural Preservation Literacy in Zambia: A Case Study of the Lala People of Chitambo Chiefdom in Serenje District., Multidisciplinary Journal of Language and Social Sciences Education, 1, (1), 139-174.