The Economic and Socio-cultural Sources, Consequences and Intervention Mechanisms of Revenge in Amhara National Regional State: The Case of Denbia District

Abstract

Revenge and other social conflicts among individuals and communities usually occur in Denbia District. Revenge is an extension of destructive conflicts. It is an intrinsic, inevitable, and unavoidable aspect of social life which occurs during human interaction. Conflicts are inherent, because human beings have varying interests and needs. They are also inherent at the same time, because it is impossible to meet the needs and desires of all people simultaneously. Conflict results both constructive and destructive consequences. Destructive conflicts that end up in blood revenge often flows from narrowly defined or rigid goals, and most often produces negative results. Revenge has been one of the social problems practiced in the district of Denbia. Disputes lead to conflicts, and revenge becomes a potential result of conflict in turn in the district of Denbia. This problem is also a social and legal issue in Amhara National Regional State, because it causes life loss, physical injury, property loss and social instability. It disrupts the life of individuals and peaceful existence of groups. Revenge involves initial victims and perpetrators, families, close and distant relatives of both victims and perpetrator. Initial victims may search for opportunities to retaliate blood for blood or any other ways. Hence, it becomes a circular social problem where victims at one occasion will be perpetrators on the next having retaliated the initial perpetrator. This research deals on the Economic and Socio-cultural Sources, Consequences and Intervention Mechanisms of Revenge in Amhara National Regional State: The Case of Denbia District. Therefore, the researcher employed qualitative research approach and gathered data through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis. A Victim of revenge and released perpetrators, and other community members used during the in-depth interview. Moreover, the researcher used focus group discussions with the peace and reconciliation committee, police officers, and legal professionals who have deeper experience resolution of disputes, conflicts and revenge. Because of the nature of the information collected from respondents, the researcher used thematic analysis, discourse analysis and content analysis all together. The findings of the study have shown that revenge, caused familial and societal problems in the district of Denbia District. Among the forty five kebeles some areas of the district are severely vulnerable for blood revenge killings consisted of higher rates of murder. Insignificant disputes and conflicts raised commonly because of land, grudge, alcoholism, women driven, money driven, stealing, revealing a secret, and other daily based conflicts eventually ended up with blood revenge killings. Mainly, Land conflicts lead to disastrous effects on individuals as well as on groups and end up with blood revenge among family members at the highest number. The number of people who lost their lives in blood revenge killings in five years from 2011 up to 2015 in Denbia district is raised to one hundred and twenty-one.