Traditional Chiefs Research Articles

Model Lanskap Permukiman Tradisional Masyarakat Adat Rejang Provinsi Bengkulu Berbasis Budaya Lokal

Rejang is one of the original tribes of Bengkulu Province. This tribe mostly lives in the Bukit Barisan area. Some of their settlements are undergoing changes due to the rapidly growing flow of information and communication today. Conservation efforts need to be made, especially about their traditional settlement landscape model. The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the character of traditional settlement landscapes and their constituent elements and compile a model of traditional settlement landscapes of the indigenous Rejang people. This research uses a descriptive method through a literature study approach, interviews, and field observations. The analysis was carried out descriptively and spatially. The landscape character of the indigenous Rejang tribe settlement is in the form of hilly landforms with land cover in the form of forests, gardens, and terraced rice fields, with the valley floor in the form of small and medium rivers. Traditional settlements stretch over ridges to mountain peaks. The character-forming features of landscapes include both natural and artificial features. Natural features consist of the elements of hills, forests, and rivers. Artificial features consist of terraced rice fields, gardens/fields, and settlements. The settlement itself includes traditional houses (including traditional chiefs' houses), circulation paths, public open spaces, and tombs. The elements that make up the Residential Garden include residential houses, rice barns (tangkiang), kitchens, fence plants, vegetable and flower plants, trees, yards, mortar (places to pound rice). Traditional ceremonial activities are held inside and outside the home, as well as communal activities such as planting and harvesting rice held in rice fields. The landscape model of the traditional settlement of the indigenous people of Rejang Lebong is linear with the center of the settlement along the main road on the ridge. The settlement is surrounded by gardens/fields and rice fields. The forest is on the outside away from settlements.

Sectoral Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Social Dialogue in Cote d’Ivoire: Empirical Evidence from Agro-industrial Companies

The aim of this article is to study the effect of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on social dialogue through their dimensions. The methodology is based on structural equations to highlight these links using data from a sample of 812 workers in agro-industrial firms in Côte d'Ivoire. In particular, the results reveal that environmental, social and cultural CSR dimensions have a significant impact on all dimensions of social dialogue reorganized by cultural negotiation. In the background, the contribution to the protection of mountains, rivers and sacred forests, to the celebration of religious events, both happy and unhappy, and to the resolution of certain conflicts, requires the mobilization of traditional negotiation tools: Inter-ethnic alliances, birthright, traditional chiefs and the palaver tree technique to resolve certain organizational conflicts. The result is a contribution to the protection of beliefs and collectivism, the pillars of organizational durability in Africa.

Identity, experience, and non-partisan: the institution of traditional chiefs and development in a rural local municipality in North West Province, South Africa

ABSTRACT This paper explores the place and role of chiefs and their institution in the governance and development of rural society in South Africa, using a case study of six tribal authorities in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality, North West Province. It examines whether chiefs have taken active development roles in their communities, and how they are perceived by society vis-à-vis community councillors. It argues that active roles and endorsement by the people are evidence of the significance of chiefs in the rural governance structures. In the studied tribal authorities, chiefs assumed central development roles, by initiating development projects, mobilizing stakeholders, and providing information to their people that ensured compliance with government COVID-19 regulations. While development and service delivery issues are the mandate of the community councillors and council, people saw the chiefs as best suited to spearhead development in their areas, because of their proximity to society and knowledge of their needs. The paper argues that the institution of the chiefs constitutes an accountable leadership that acts in the interests of all people, and chiefs should be incorporated in rural governance structures.

The Dynamics of Herder-Farmer Conflicts in Plateau State, Nigeria, and Central Darfur State, Sudan

Abstract Drawing on their own field studies, the authors examine how state and local actors involved in resource management and peacebuilding activities are implicated in the conflict between farmers and herders in Plateau State, Nigeria, and Central Darfur State, Sudan. The authors show that state officials, traditional chiefs, and security agents intensified the conflict by perpetuating the inequitable distribution of resources needed for the survival of farmers and herders, while promoting a peacebuilding process that empowered some groups and disempowered others. The divisive role state and local actors played accentuated the socio-political grievances underlying the conflict and enervated the peacebuilding process.

Preserving Ghana’s Water Resources: Insights from Communities Along Keta Lagoon Complex Ramsar Site

Maintaining water resources in Ghana is crucial to the survival of its populace. It is commonly said, it is the “survival of the fittest”, but it is water that makes it possible for the fittest to survive. This study examined Ghanaians’ activities towards water resources by exploring the views of residents of Anyanui, Anloga and Tegbi along Keta Lagoon Complex Ramsar Site. The study adopted the qualitative approach, narrative design and thematic analysis. In-depth face-to-face interviews with 15 residents, purposively and conveniently sampled from the three communities and observations in the Anloga District revealed that, there is a moderate environmental challenge to Keta Lagoon Complex Ramsar site. Over exploitation of mangroves, the habit of open defecation, dumping of refuse in the enclave and poaching were revealed in the study. The study concludes that, advancing the protection and strategizing to achieve effective management of wetlands in Ghana is needed to ensure that ecosystem benefits inure to mankind. Based on this, the study recommends that, Traditional chiefs should be given the mandate and be tasked to ensure rules and regulations regarding Ramsar sites are well respected. Moreover, Wildlife Division/Forestry Commission needs to be more vibrant in ensuring that, wetlands are wisely used and protected. The study also recommends that, toilet facilities need to be provided along the banks of the Keta Lagoon Complex Ramsar Site

Whole-body donation through the lens of Shona culture and Christian religion in Zimbabwe.

Voluntary donation is the ethically acceptable method for whole-body acquisition for anatomy education worldwide. In Africa, educational institutions struggle with this since many people remain unwilling to donate their bodies due to the strong influence of cultural and religious beliefs in decision-making. As part of wider efforts to improve the ethical sourcing of bodies in Zimbabwean medical schools, which are heavily reliant on unclaimed bodies, this study sought to determine the influences traditional and religious beliefs have on such decisions. We ascertained traditional and religious leaders' knowledge of whole-body donation, explored cultural and religious views toward death, dying and whole-body donation as well as their underlying reasons. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with traditional chiefs and Christian leaders who are considered the custodians of Zimbabwean traditional cultural and Christian values, respectively. Thematic analysis of traditional chiefs' interviews revealed that none of the chiefs had accurate knowledge regarding whole-body donation or the processes involved. Due to set traditional practices around death, most traditional chiefs viewed the practice as foreign with possible negative repercussions to the dissectors. Most of the Christian leaders had knowledge of whole-body donation. Their views were split between support for whole-body donation and regard as a religious and cultural misfit. Overall, both traditional chiefs and Christian leaders understood the importance of whole-body donation and requested further societal sensitization and education if the practice is to become socially acceptable.

Totemism and Climate-Smart Adaptations in the Wasipe Traditional Area of the Savannah Region of Ghana

The belief in totems is very common in Ghana and other regions of Africa. This study looked at the development of Totemism over time in Ghana and Africa. The purpose of this research was to uncover the significance of Totemic climate smart adaption methods used in development discourse in Ghana’s ‘Wasipe’ Traditional Area of the Savanna Region. This has the potential to provide certain societal benefits related to climate-smart adaptation. The study adopted the Ethnographic theory as seen in Dewan and Haverkort’s conceptual approach to measure the relationship between nature and Totemism. At the same time, Ethnographic research provides insight into the cultural and social context in which people live and work. Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis were used for the study. The ‘Wasipe’ traditional area was purposively selected for the study because of the cultural background and experiences of the diverse endogenous knowledge systems and practices in the area. The target population consisted of traditional chiefs and opinion leaders who actively participate in the Community’s cultural, traditional and customary activities. Key among the findings include: “Wasipe” traditional area is divided into clans and groups according to Totemic beliefs. They mentioned leopard, tiger, rivers, tortoise, hawk, python, mudfish, electric fish, baobab tree, chameleon, parrot, spear, kapok tree, and some forms of tree species as totems in that traditional area. Totems help them to be able to forecast short, medium and long-term weather changes. It is recommended that multiple layers of actors and stakeholders should be involved in the planning and implementation of Ghana’s adaptation action. The paper concluded that Totemism continues to play a significant part in the day-to-day socio-political economic orientation, defying the effect of Western norms in our societies. This paper has shown that climate-smart adaptation strategies are cross-disciplinary and multidisciplinary. Keywords: Totem, Taboo, Sacrifice, Religion, Tradition, Culture, Climate, Chiefs, Cosmovision.

FOLK SONGS AS CONTRIVANCE FOR PROMOTING YORUBA CULTURAL VALUES AND SOCIAL INTERACTION AMONG YORUBA CHILDREN

Music is share of culture and therefore establishes an integral part of the life of people. The inherent value of folk music cannot be challenged in promotion of cultural values and social interaction in a Yoruba child and in the making of a child as being resourceful, useful and a good citizen, living according to the societal norms and customs. This study employed the historical research method. The study identifies and provides musical notation of some selected Yoruba folk songs materials that can be interpreted musically and also examines the influence and efficacy of Yoruba folk songs in promoting cultural and moral values and social interaction among children. The lyrics of some selected folk songs were analysed. The findings revealed that folk songs establish a vibrant forum through which members of a society respond and acclimatize to the culture of the society and a veritable tool for social interaction. It therefore recommends that contemporary government and cultural institutions like traditional leaders, Obas (Kings) and chiefs should provide better funding and cultural support in order to ensure preservation of such cultural institutions and heritage. The media will also do so much through an incessant broadcast of folk songs.

Using Vhavenda Traditional Entertainment to Curb HIV Spread in the Rural South African District

Purpose. This study explored the use of traditional entertainment as a means of curbing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) spread in the Vhembe district of South Africa. Engaging in cultural dances like tshikona, tshifasi, tshigombela, malende, davha, and musangwe keeps the youth grounded, making it less likely that they will engage in unprotected sexual intercourse. Methods. This qualitative study utilized an ethnographic design. The study was conducted in rural villages in Vhembe district, Limpopo province in South Africa. Eighteen participants consisted of Vhavenda traditional leaders and chiefs who met the selection criteria were purposively selected to participate in the study. The sample size was determined by data saturation. Semistructured face-to-face interviews were used to collect data, guided by an interview guide. Four observations were done concurrently with the interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded, and field notes were taken. Ethnographic content analysis was used to analyze the data collected. Results. The results indicate that Vhavenda traditional entertainments like tshigombela and tshikona can be used in reducing and managing the spread of HIV, whereas malende, tshifasi, davha, and musangwe have the potential to spread and increase incidences of HIV. Conclusion. The traditional entertainment such as tshigombela and tshikona can be utilized as they instill good morals. Malende, tshifasi, davha, and musangwe can be repatterned and modified. Traditional entertainments, if properly utilized, can add to the strategies of reducing the new incidences of HIV.

Ethno pharmacological survey in the MifiDivision (Cameroon)

Our study took place in the Mifi Division, western Cameroon. The aim of this study was to identify the medicinal plants used in this Division. To carry out this survey, we used three methods to collect data: the field study, the comparative study and the interview of traditional healers from a pre-established list. We interviewed 15 traditional healers who were recommended to us by traditional chiefs, some churchmen and health workers. The interviews with 15 traditional healers yielded 39 plants in Bafoussam, 62 plants in Baleng, 20 plants in Bamougoum, 12 plants in Bapi and 16 plants in Badeng. There is a similarity in magnitude in the use of herbs between infectious, childhood and general traumatic pathologies respectively 17.54% and 15.78%. This represents the highest percentage of plant use in this Division. Gynaecological and obstetrical diseases come in third place with 14.03% of plants used. Then come the pathologies of the otorhinolaryngological system with a use of 10.52% of plants. Nervous system pathologies use 7.01%. Parasitic pathologies are treated by 5.20% of the plants. Dermatological and cardiovascular pathologies use 3.50% of plants respectively. Finally, viral and gastro-enteritis diseases are treated with 5.20% of plants each. The Plants species collected will certainly contribute to the production of the original traditional pharmacopoeia. The 149 plants mentioned above would form the basis for the development of improved traditional medicines for start.

Roadside Graves: Cultural and Traditional Significance of Akumadan Traditional Area of Offinso North District of Ghana

The study investigated cultural and traditional significance of road side graves/burial grounds at the Akumadan traditional area of the Offinso North District. Inextricably linked to the human environment are burial grounds. It's been a common belief for a very long time that after someone dies, their spirit lives on in another form. The study used the Ethnological theory approach by John (2018) which takes into consideration the subculture of a group or group that has a common culture, it’s goal is creating a detailed and comprehensive descriptions of the community and then interpret the ingrained patterns. Achieving the aspirational goal of becoming an ancestor after death is impossible if one attempts to use advance care directives in Africa to request an unnatural death. This study has not been explored previously and therefore adds value to theories and realities of roadside graves or burial grounds. The inter-prettiest paradigm served as the driver to the entire research process for this study. According to interpretivists, reality can only be fully understood by the subjective interpretation of and intervention in reality, hence it focuses on the complexities of meaning as enacted in symbols, language, and social interactions. The study reviewed literature on both primary and secondary literature on culture, graves and traditions. The methods used to collect the data for this study included interviews, observation, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews and transcribed and analysed into themes. The targeted groups was traditional chiefs, sub-chiefs, opinion leaders, religious groups, accidentally sampled individuals 40 years below and 40 years above. Key amongst the findings include: Ancestors should be kept at a place for easy access (“Akantifi” meaning edge of city in Akan). They also believe the dead are part of them (living) and they need not throw them away; hence, they must be nearer them or by the roadside. They also added that is for traditional spiritual protection of the community (either the ‘entrance’ of the town or when leaving the town) and for easy ritual performance. As a policy implication, Offinso North and for that matter Akumadan Traditional area of Ghana is rich in cultural and traditional belief systems. These cultural and traditional believe systems must be properly documented as part of the rich culture of the traditional area. A tourism hub must be created to take care of the area's rich culture.

Perpetuating the malign legacy of colonialism? Traditional chiefs’ power and deforestation in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is affected by considerable deforestation. The chieftaincy as it exists today in Sierra Leone is a construct of colonialism with removed key aspects of bottom-up accountability that perpetuated itself after independence. In this setting, traditional chiefs have considerable power to shape multiple facets of everyday life in their local communities including land allocation that influences deforestation. There is an open question of whether keeping traditional chiefs as a construct from the colonial era perpetuates the malign legacy of colonialism. I explore from this perspective the role of traditional chiefs in deforestation in Sierra Leone. By combining high-resolution satellite image data with survey and historic data in a regression analysis setting, the central findings of this article are that keeping the institution of traditional chiefs in its state from colonial times, giving them power to define multiple aspects of everyday life at the local level, combined with chiefs’ and the broader state’s corruption accelerates deforestation. These results have important implications for the increasingly popular global trend toward forestry decentralization strategies. The article suggests that a reform of the traditional chiefs’ system in Sierra Leone and in countries with a similar structure of local traditional authorities is needed and that democratic decentralization of forest management with bottom-up accountability of traditional chiefs may be a viable solution.

Relationship between Livelihood Coping Strategies and Livelihood Outcomes for Smallholder Farmers in the Bawku District of Northern Ghana

This research paper is a result of a study that analysed the relationship between livelihood coping strategies and livelihood outcomes for smallholder farmers in Bawku East District of Northern Ghana. The descriptive research design was chosen to permit obtaining and describing of information concerning the land acquisition structures/processes; the available livelihood assets, how these could be transformed through innovative livelihood coping strategies towards achieving sustainable livelihood outcomes for the rural dwellers who lost land in the Bawku East District of northern Ghana. The correlational design was utilised to permit investigation of the relationship between land acquisition and livelihood outcomes among smallholder farmers in Bawku East District of northern Ghana. 400 individuals participated in the study in four villages in Bawku District. The villages were selected because they had been affected by large scale land acquisitions for community development projects. The study found out that the nature of land acquisition process is not modelled to improve livelihood coping strategies adaptation among the farmers in Bawku East District; that non-agricultural specialization is key to better livelihood outcomes due to consequences that come along with land acquisition. The adaptation of better land acquisition structures through non-agricultural diversification approaches is desirable for good livelihood outcomes; but its aftermath is associated with land conflicts in the Bawku East District. The use of family heads, traditional chiefs, and law courts for settlement of conflicts are essential in resolving land conflicts in Bawku East District.

A History of Management of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Resources within the Sukuma: A Case of Magu District from 1860s to 2020s

This paper discusses on a history of management of the intangible cultural heritage resources within the Sukuma people in Magu district, Mwanza region, from 1860s to 2020s. In particular, the paper traced on the management of the intangible cultural heritage practices among the Sukuma people in Magu district during the pre-colonial period from 1860s-1880s. The qualitative and quantitative methods were used where data both primary and secondary sources were collected through oral interviews and Archive documents from the Tanzania National Archives (TNA) and the Sukuma Research Committee Archives, libraries, digital and internet sources. The paper applied the theory of Historical materialism that underscores historical changes corresponding with the change in material value. The findings indicate that Sukuma people still practice their traditional cultural heritages. Dances and songs, traditional religious beliefs, norms and values and oral narratives are among the intangible cultural heritages which are practiced by Sukuma people in Magu district from pre-colonial era. The presence of traditional chiefs, museum centre, ritual practice areas, traditional norms and values and dances and songs cultural heritage practices are the methods used by Sukuma people to manage their intangible cultural heritages resources. The process of management of the cultural heritage resources should not neglect the intangible cultural heritage resources, thus it is through the intangible cultural aspects one can reveal the facts on the tangible cultural aspects.

DECONSTRUCTION OF PATRIARCHIC CULTURAL DISCUSSION IN TRADITIONAL VILLAGE LEADERSHIP

This research starts from the existence of a gap between reality (dassein) and idealism (dassolen) that so far the position of the traditional village chief has always been occupied by men, not a single woman has held this position, even though ideally women can also become traditional village chiefs because there is no prohibition for women to do so. The theories used in the theoretical basis for this research are deconstruction theory, intersectionality theory, and subaltern theory. The research method used is a qualitative research method, with observation and interview techniques used in data collection. Data analysis was carried out deconstructively. The results of the study indicate that the strong dominance of the masculine in the leadership of the Buduk Traditional Village is based on or motivated by three main things: (1) various political ideologies that support patriarchal culture, (2) the interest to maintain the power of men, (3) the practice of giving meaning to women. Women and men in the context of traditional villages which show various meanings. These various meanings essentially indicate efforts to legitimize men's power and women's subordination, accompanied by co-optation and manipulation efforts to realize the legitimacy of men's power and women's subordination in traditional village life.
 Keywords: traditional village, leadership, patriarchal culture, discourse, deconstruction

Regional, Decentralization and Traditional Power in Cameroon

This article shows the process of transition from the unitary state to decentralisation, which is the transfer of administrative competences from the central state to the communities (municipalities). This law is derived from the Constitution of 18 January 1996, which was re-enacted by Law No. 2019/024 of 24 December 2019 on the General Code of Decentralised Territorial Authorities, with the creation of regions and elected regional councillors and traditional chiefs appointed as regional councillors by the central government. The particularity of decentralisation in Cameroon is the maintenance of governors, prefects and sub-prefects as representatives of the central state in the missions of the centralised power. Another peculiarity is the weak donation of the sovereignty of the delegations of the various ministers placed under the management of decentralised communities (Mairie). This donation remains weak in all areas. In the new model defined by the law n°2019/024 of 24 December 2019, regionalisation should be presented as a spring of economic and social development.

Strategies to Promote Sustainable Development: The Gendered Importance of Addressing Diminishing African Locust Bean (Parkia biglobosa) Resources in Northern Ghana’s Agro-Ecological Landscape

As the topic of gender and forests gains international attention through programs related to addressing the Sustainable Development Goals, we focus on a case study of the African Locust Bean (Parkia biglobosa) in the savannah landscape of northern Ghana. Although this tree holds high cultural significance for Dagomba women, it is unfortunately becoming scarcer in our study area near Tamale. We investigate the reasons for this decline in relation to the agricultural, ecological, and cultural landscape and discuss the gendered impacts of these changes. Research in these communities was conducted between 2018 and 2021 as part of a transdisciplinary action research approach to process underutilized species with women’s groups. The research started with a survey that included 27 women’s groups in 13 communities with 524 women participants. Out of a selected number of groups, our research team has worked more intensively with three women’s groups near Nyankpala, which selected for their processing focus the African Locust Bean, locally known as dawadawa. More than 45 group sessions were organized with seven groups in a collaborative learning process in 2019. Additionally, the three groups in Kpachi who chose to process the African Locust Bean sustained facilitation of group activities until the end of 2021. Specifically, on the topic of the decline of this tree, 19 semistructured interviews were conducted in August 2020 with 8 female farmers, 7 male farmers and 4 chiefs in the local governance system. Our results show the cultural significance of the African Locust Bean for women in the Dagomba culture as well as practical uses of all parts of the tree. Specifically, the seeds are used for making a fermented condiment and tea. Although seeds of the African Locust Bean are considered a women’s crop, their access to this tree is mediated by the local chiefs and often male land-users. Most farmers interviewed reported a reduction in trees in their fields. The reasons for the decrease can be summarized in six different categories, (1) aging tree populations, (2) challenge caring for saplings until maturity, (3) agricultural changes with increased mechanization and pesticide use, (4) over-use as a firewood resource, (5) usufruct rights between traditional chiefs, male land-owners, and women who should be granted access to the trees according to Dagomba cultural values, and (6) reduced water availability inhibits seed yield. In conclusion, there is an urgent need for action to protect and restore the African Locust Bean within northern Ghana’s savannah landscape to ensure continued access and benefits of the tree to women in the region.

Thomas Sankara: A Revolutionary in Cold War Africa

Thomas Sankara: A Revolutionary in Cold War Africa

Iklan Aesthetics in Niger: Identity and Adornment from Servility to Self-agency

<i>Iklan</i> Aesthetics in Niger: Identity and Adornment from Servility to Self-agency

Metaphor Analysis in Ojo Kumba Futung Letang Dulionong Song Lyrics in Dulolong and Alor Kecil Village

The problem in this study is to determine what types of metaphors exist in the lyrics of the song Ojo Kumba Futung letang dulionong in Dulolong Village, Northwest Alor District, Alor Regency, and what their meanings are. The goal of this research was to explain and analyze the metaphor in the lyric of the song Ojo Kumba Futung letang dulionong, which was performed in Dulolong Village, Northwest Alor District, Alor Regency . The author employed qualitative research, which is based on the interpretation of meaning and phenomena or events that occur in society but are difficult to quantify with numbers or other precise measurements. According to the findings of the research, there are numerous types of metaphorical poems in Dulolong village with diverse meanings, some of which have connotations in marriage, others in the lego-lego dance, and even poetry with meanings in brotherhood, which is known as Ojo in the local language. Letang Dulionong Kumba Futung The poem by Ojo Kumba Futung Letang Dulionong has a very positive connotation for the Dulolong community, and it explains the evidence of a close brotherhood. This line was chanted at a gathering of traditional chiefs to work on the Uma Kakang Tribe's traditional dwelling. Poetry plays a vital role in a variety of activities such as traditional parties and weddings, as these poems give art that can help set the tone for these events.