Traditional conflict prevention and resolution strategies among the Manyika people of Zimbabwe:

a Spiritual Dimension.

Abstract

This paper emanates from a qualitative study which was conducted in the Manicaland province of Zimbabwe whose aim was to explore how peace and conflict are interpreted in the context of traditional resolution and prevention strategies and models. There is wide acknowledgement that there exists a spiritual facet to conflict in the Manyika traditional setting. Focus was put on exploring the conflict resolution and prevention strategies that are in place as far as the spiritual dimension of conflict is concerned. It analyses and connects the uncelebrated models for conflict prevention and peacebuilding between members of the living and the dead. The paper also discusses the responsible individuals and institutions who take the responsibility to engage the spirit community in negotiation and mediation processes in the context of ChiManyika tradition. A clear distinction of the traditional practices which are specific for conflict prevention and those which resolve conflicts is made with emphasis on how they both emphasise sustaining relationships. Other peace concepts of reconciliation, justice and human security are also analysed within the cultural traditional framework. The paper makes some recommendations which could contribute to the alignment of these traditional strategies to the current policies and peacebuilding frameworks.