The Ibibio Concept of Peace and Its implication for Building an Egalitarian Society

Abstract

Conflict and violence are phenomena that are common to every human society. It would not be an overstatement to say that conflicts, war and various forms of violence are clear, indications of a lack of Peace in any given society. Many scholars had work closely on various topics related to peace, yet, the attainment of peace in our human society (Ibibio) remains a mirage. On a daily basis, there are indications that, all over the African society, violence is on the increase, sending thousands of innocent people to early graves. In Ibibio society, the story is even worse. Different approaches towards achieving peace have failed to yield the needed positive peace. Yet, little or nothing has been done in terms of searching for peace within the indigenous African context. The aim of this paper is to examine critically the concept and causes of violence and lack of peace in the Ibibio society. The method adopted in this work is theoretical. It is, noted that lack of peace has physical, psychological, economic, social as well as political consequences in people’s lives which basically, result in death, suffering, injustice, poverty, and the human person’s loss of dignity. Yet, the Ibibio leaders, being mostly Ibibio natives, know what the Ibibio peace is all about. This paper has offered insight on how Ibibio elders should integrate indigenous peace initiatives in order to become more effective in building an egalitarian society. Keywords: Ibibio, Concept, Peace, Egalitarian and Society.