THE ROLE OF UMUNNA IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION AS AN EXPRESSION OF IGWEBUIKE PHILOSOPHY

Abstract

Knowledge of the traditional ways of resolving conflict is highly needed at a time and period when people are losing and abandoning their history and tradition. We approached this article from the expository point of view, to study the role traditional institution (umunna) has played in restoring warring members of the society. The presence of modern conflict management has posed a great challenge to the existing traditional method. In this study, the term ”umunna” was descriptively explained through the way in which they resolve conflicts in Igbo land, which has become an expression of Igwebuike philosophy of peace and conflict resolution. The elders, acting as arbiter, resolves conflict in umunna kindred. In this regard, they act as peacemakers and have kept the community running smoothly. The conclusion of this paper is that umunna instituion has contributed a lot to the resolution of conflict in Igbo land and their role in conflict resolution has been very interesting and effective. The knowledge acquired through this study will help appreciate and empower the umunna traditional conflict resolution mechanism in Igbo land.