Laughter and Conflicts in Africa (Paperback)

This book demonstrates that even though Africa has strong and virile traditional conflict mediating techniques, its non application has left the continent bedevilled by intractable conflicts. This book examines joking relationship a traditional conflict mediating technique used for the maintenance of social cohesion in traditional Africa. Generally, this book demonstrates that rituals performed during joking relationship are important tools for mediating conflicts in Africa societies. The book argues that round table negotiations and signing of paper agreements have no efficacy within the traditional and cultural conflict situations in Africa because socially, Africa is communal in nature; that is, everyone is involved in most of the decisions undertaken within the community. For any conflict to be properly resolved, the entire community should be involved so that the agreement undertaken by the group will be meaningful, and conflicting communities will certainly respect them. The book suggest the inclusion of traditional mediating principles such as ceremonies, festivals that involve emotional displays such as communal eating, drinking and dancing in conflict resolution in Africa.