CONFLICT DYNAMICS AND ENDOGENOUS MECHANISMS OF PEACEBUILDING: THE CASE OF THE KARRAYYU OROMO AND THEIR NEIGHBORS

Abstract

The Karrayyu have long history of conflictual interactions with neighboring communities which is dated back to the imperial era. Culture of fame and clash over the grazing areas were the main factors for the conflict during that period. However, the findings of this study revealed that the Karrayyu caught up in intensified conflicts over scarce natural resources with almost all their neighbours in the post-1960s period since the introduction of development projects into their land. And in the post-1991`political context of the country, over the territorial claims, competition over scarce natural resources, degradation of sacred natural sites and emergence of illicit trades in their land became the sources of inter-communal conflicts. The study dealt largely with the causes, actors, effects, and dynamics of conflicts between them since the imperial regime. Since they are among the few Oromo groups that remained practicing the Gadaa System and other endogenous institutions without interruption, this study is a systematic inquiry into the potential of the Karrayyu endogenous institutions and cultural values in preventing intra-and inter-communal conflicts and peacebuilding within their community and with neighboring communities. The study was based on qualitative research design. Data collection, analysis and interpretation were informed by interpretivist paradigm in which respondents assume vital role in the construction and reconstruction of reality. The data required for the study was collected through ethnographic processes such as one-on-one interviews, focus group discussions, field notes and observations. The core finding of this study is that inter-communal conflicts result from multidimensional factors that led them to mutual contestation. I used various conceptual frameworks and analytical models to explain the role of historical, social, political, perceptual and cognitive factors in shaping the dynamics of inter-communal conflicts and the endogenous peacebuilding mechanisms used by the Karrayyu to maintain peace from within and with their neighbors. Based on this kernel findings, I recommended that peacebuilding efforts in the study area should be based on careful understanding of the historical, socio-economic, cultural and political, and institutional processes that generate norms, values and images that reinforce and perpetuate inter-communal conflictual relationships