traditional african conflict prevention and transformation methods

337 Pages·2012·21.77 MB·English

TRADITIONAL AFRICAN CONFLICT PREVENTION AND

TRANSFORMATION METHODS: CASE STUDIES OF
SUKWA, NGONI, CHEWA AND YAO
TRIBES IN MALAWI

Chimwemwe Anyelwishe Pharaoh Shikalere MSUKWA

A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor Philosophiae in Development Studies, Institute for Social Development,
Faculty of Arts University of the Western Cape.

Supervisor: Professor Marion Keim Lees

February 2012

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Traditional African Conflict Prevention and Transformation Methods: Case
Studies of Sukwa, Ngoni, Chewa and Yao  Tribes in Malawi

Chimwemwe A.P.S. Msukwa, February 2012
Keywords
Conflict
Violence
Prevention
Transformation
Traditional methods
Values
Tribes
Culture
Community
Malawi
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Abstract
Traditional African Conflict Prevention and Transformation Methods: Case
Studies of Sukwa, Ngoni, Chewa and Yao Tribes in Malawi
C.A.P.S. Msukwa.
PhD thesis, Development Studies, Institute for Social Development, Faculty of
Arts University of the Western Cape

This study sought to investigate if there are common cultural elements for
preventing and transforming violent conflict in selected patrilineal and matrilineal
tribes in Malawi, as well as selected societies from other parts of Africa.
The researcher argues that in both patrilineal and matrilineal tribes in Malawi,
violent conflict prevention and transformation methods are inherently rooted in
elaborate socio-political governance structures. This also applies to other societies
in Africa, such as the pre-colonial traditional societies of Rwanda, the Pokot
pastoral community in the North Rift of Kenya, the ubuntu societies in South
Africa and the Acholi of Northern Uganda. The basic framework for these
structures comprise the individuals (men, women and older children), as the
primary building blocks, the family component comprising of the nucleus and
extended families as secondary building block and traditional leadership
component. Within these socio-political governance structures, individuals co-
exist and are inextricably bound in multi-layered social relationships and
networks with others. In these governance structures, a certain level of conflict
between individuals or groups is considered normal and desirable, as it brings
about vital progressive changes as well as creates the necessary diversity, which
makes the community interesting. However, violent conflicts are regarded as
undesirable and require intervention.
Consequently, the multi-layered social networks have several intrinsic features,
which enable the communities to prevent the occurrence of violent conflicts or
transform them when they occur, in order to maintain social harmony. The first
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findings show that each level of the social networks has appropriate mechanisms
for dissipating violent conflicts, which   go beyond tolerable levels. Secondly,
individuals have an obligation to intervene in violent conflicts as part of social
and moral roles, duties and commitment s, which they have to fulfil. Thirdly, the
networks have forums in which selected competent elders from the society
facilitate open discussions of violent conflicts and decisions are made by
consensus involving as many men and women as possible. In these forums, each
individual is valued and dignified. Fourthly, there are deliberate efforts to advance
transparency and accountability in the forums where violent conflicts are
discussed. However, in general terms, women occupy a subordinate status in both
leadership and decision-making processes, though they actively participate in
violent conflict interventions and some of them hold leadership positions.
In addition, the findings show that the tribes researched have an elaborate process
for transforming violent conflicts. This process includes the creation of an
environment conducive for discussing violent conflicts, listening to each of the
disputants, establishing the truth, exhausting all issues, reconciling the disputants
and in case one disputant is not satisfied with the outcomes of the discussions,
referring the violent conflict for discussion to another forum. Furthermore,
individuals in both patrilineal and matrilineal tribes are governed by moral values
including respect, relations, relationships, interdependence, unity, kindness,
friendliness, sharing, love, transparency, tolerance, self-restraint, humility,
trustworthiness and obedience. These moral values enhance self-restraint, prevent
aggressive behaviour, as well as promote and enhance good relationships between
individuals in the family and the society as a whole.
The researcher argues that the positive cultural factors for prevention and
transformation of violent conflict, outlined above, which are inherent in the
traditional African socio-political governance system should be deliberately
promoted for incorporation into the modern state socio-political governance
systems through peace-building and development initiatives as well as
democratisation processes. This could be one of the interventions for dealing with
violent conflict devastating Africa today.

Date: February 2012.
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Declaration

I declare that Traditional African Conflict Prevention and Transformation
Methods: Case Studies of Sukwa, Ngoni, Chewa and Yao Tribes in Malawi is my
own work, that it has not been submitted before for any degree or examination in
any other university and that all the sources I have used or quoted have been
indicated and acknowledged as complete references.
Chimwemwe Anyelwishe Pharaoh Shikalere Msukwa

Signed: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Acknowledgement

I would like to pay respect and gratitude to several people some of whom might
not be mentioned here for their valuable and numerous contributions, which made
this thesis a reality.
Firstly I would like to thank my supervisor Professor Marion Keim Lees for the
psychological and moral support she provided that kept me going even when I felt
like giving up; as well as her academic guidance and constructive feedback.
Secondly, I would like to applaud my wife Margaret, for her determination to see
me go through this project. She was always by my side encouraging and boosting
my moral when my energy levels were low and above all taking over all the
responsibilities of caring for the children and the family. True mother – as she has
always been.
Thirdly, I would like to thank my daughters Lughindiko and Yewo and my son
Chimwemwe for allowing me to spend hours, days and months away from them
and not being available to provide for their needs.
Fourthly I would like to thank my friends Christoph Messinger and Christa Roth
for the much needed critical input provided during the development of the
research proposal and the financial support without which I would not have
managed on my own.
Fifthly, I am indebted to the following traditional authorities (TA) / chiefs
Mwenemisuku, Mpherembe, Chakhaza and Katuli for allowing me to conduct
research in their communities as well as for personally participating in the
research. I would also like to appreciate the contributions of all the people who
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accepted to participate in this research and spared their precious time for the

lengthy interviews and discussions.

Sixthly, I would like to thank Professor David Brokensha and Dr Dan Taylor for
providing insights into the study as well as editing this thesis. I greatly appreciate
their contributions.
Seventhly, I applaud my late father and mother for their joint vision without
which I would not have embarked on this ambitious project. They always wanted
to see me come this far.
Finally I would like to thank everyone who participated in this research in one
way or another and whom I have not mentioned here.

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Table of Contents

Keywords ................................................................................................................ ii
Abstract .................................................................................................................. iii
Declaration .............................................................................................................. v
Acknowledgement ................................................................................................. vi
Acronyms .............................................................................................................. xii
Chapter 1: Introduction, Problem Statement and Context of the Study ................. 1
1.1 Background and rationale of the study ......................................................... 1
1.2 Research problem.......................................................................................... 4
1.3 The local research context of the case studies in Malawi ............................. 7
1.4 The broader context of the study .................................................................. 9
1.4.1 International concepts for intervening in violent conflicts .................... 9
1.4.2 International concepts for preventing violent conflicts ....................... 16
1.4.3 The role of African culture in peace-building and violent conflict
prevention ..................................................................................................... 19
1.5 Aims of the Research .................................................................................. 23
1.6 Significance of the study ............................................................................. 25
1.7 Motivation for the study.............................................................................. 26
1.8 Overview of research methods.................................................................... 28
1.9 Overview of chapters .................................................................................. 28
1.10 Conclusion ................................................................................................ 31
Chapter 2: Theoretical Framework of the Research and Literature Review ........ 32
2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 32
2.2 Literature reviewed ..................................................................................... 33
2.2.1 Discussion of key concepts .................................................................. 33
2.2.2 Conflict intervention concepts ............................................................. 41
2.2.3 Third Party intervention methods ........................................................ 49
2.2.4 Traditional African conflict intervention methods .............................. 54
2.3 Theoretical framework ................................................................................ 74
2.3.1 Social conflict theories ......................................................................... 75
2.3.2 Structural functionalism / functionalism theory .................................. 81
2.3.3 Complexity theory ............................................................................... 86
2.3.4 Summary of theoretical framework ..................................................... 92
2.4 Conclusion .................................................................................................. 93
Chapter 3: Research Methodology........................................................................ 95
3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 95
3.2 Methodological approach............................................................................ 96
3.3 Research design .......................................................................................... 98
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3.4 Selection of Case studies .......................................................................... 100
3.4.1 Selection of case studies in Ma lawi ................................................... 100
3.4.2 Selection of case studies from other parts of Africa .......................... 101
3.5 Selection of research participants .. ........................................................... 102
3.6 Data sources and collection methods ........................................................ 104
3.6.1 Individual interviews ......................................................................... 105
3.6.2 Focus group interviews ...................................................................... 105
3.6.3 Participant observation....................................................................... 106
3.6.4 Review of available documents and records ...................................... 108
3.7 Data analysis ............................................................................................. 109
3.7.1 Within case analysis ........................................................................... 110
3.7.2 Comparisons of the case studies in Malawi and those from other parts
of Africa. ..................................................................................................... 112
3.8 Validity ..................................................................................................... 113
3.9 Ethical considerations ............................................................................... 116
3.10 Limitations of the study .......................................................................... 117
3.11 Conclusion .............................................................................................. 118
Chapter 4: The socio-political governance structures for the Sukwa, Ngoni,
Chewa and Yao tribes in Malawi ........................................................................ 119
4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 119
4.2 Brief background information about the tribes ......................................... 119
4.2.1 The Sukwa tribe ................................................................................. 120
4.2.2 The Ngoni tribe .................................................................................. 121
4.2.3 The Chewa tribe ................................................................................ 123
4.2.4 The Yao tribe ..................................................................................... 125
4.3 Socio-political governance systems of the Sukwa, Ngoni, Chewa and Yao
tribes in Malawi .............................................................................................. 128
4.3.1 Governance structures ........................................................................ 128
4.3.2 Intervening in conflict situations ....................................................... 150
4.3.3 The place of women in the socio-political governance structures of the
tribes ............................................................................................................ 156
4.4 Conclusion ................................................................................................ 166
Chapter 5: Findings of methods and tools used for prevention and transformation
of violent conflicts in the Sukwa, Ngoni, Chewa and Yao tribes in Malawi ...... 167
5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 167
5.2 Perceiving conflict situations .................................................................... 169
5.2.1 Perceiving differences ........................................................................ 171
5.2.2 Engaging in a dispute ......................................................................... 173
5.2.3 Engaging in a fight ............................................................................. 176
5.2.4 Engaging in an uncontrollable violent conflict ................................. 178
5.2.5 Engaging in war ................................................................................. 179
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5.3 Preventing violent conflict ........................................................................ 182
5.3.1 Moral values............................ ........................................................... 182
5.3.2 Acquiring cultural values ................................................................... 190
5.3.3 Maintaining good relationships .......................................................... 193
5.3.4 Respecting beliefs .............................................................................. 195
5.3.5 Concluding presentation on conflict prevention ................................ 196
5.4 Transforming violent conflict ................................................................... 196
5.4.1 Creating an environment conducive for discussions ......................... 197
5.4.2 Listening to each party to the conflict................................................ 201
5.4.3 Searching for the truth ....................................................................... 203
5.4.4 Exhausting issues ............................................................................... 205
5.4.5 Reconciling the conflicting parties .................................................... 207
5.4.6 Referring conflict for discussion to a higher level forum .................. 212
5.4.7 Conclusion for conflict transformation processes.............................. 215
5.5 Linkages of traditional systems with formal justice systems.................... 215
5.5.1 Determining conflicts to be handled by the traditional systems ........ 216
5.5.2 Collaborating with formal justice systems ......................................... 217
5.5.3 Identifying challenges and strengths of the traditional systems in
Malawi ........................................................................................................ 220
5.6 Conclusion ................................................................................................ 224
Chapter 6: Comparative analysis of methods used for prevention and
transformation of violent conflicts in selected tribes in Malawi with those used in
other parts of Africa ............................................................................................ 226
6.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 226
6.2 Comparative analysis of the socio-political governance systems ............. 227
6.2.1 Governance structures ........................................................................ 227
6.2.2 Individuals and conflict interventions ................................................ 231
6.2.3 Family structures and conflict interventions ...................................... 238
6.2.4 Traditional leadership structures and conflict intervention ............... 241
6.2.5 Women, socio-political governance structures and violent conflict
interventions ................................................................................................ 246
6.3 Perceptions of the notion of conflict ......................................................... 250
6.4 Prevention of violent conflict .................................................................... 253
6.4.1 Moral values and violent conflict prevention .................................... 253
6.4.2 Maintaining good relationships and violent conflict prevention ....... 257
6.4.3 Traditional beliefs and violent conflict prevention ............................ 259
6.5 Transforming violent conflict ................................................................... 260
6.5.1 Ensuring a conducive environment for discussing violent conflict .. 261
6.5.2 Listening to the parties to the violent conflict ................................... 267
6.5.3 Searching for the truth ....................................................................... 268
6.5.4 Exhausting issues ............................................................................... 270
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