Traditional Authority Research Articles

Social vulnerability to food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa: exploring the connection between climate change, funeral rites and food insecurity in rural Ghana

ABSTRACT Climate Change and food security remain one of the topical issues discussed globally. In Ghana, the literature has reported on the effects of climate change on the food consumption patterns of many households due to low adaptive capacity and inefficient food production systems. In addition to climate change as a threat to food security, funeral rites also play a major role in household food insecurity. However, the link between climate change, funeral rites and food security as indices of social vulnerability has been less investigated. Using a qualitative-dominance approach to research with 8 key informant interviews, 4 focus group discussions (FGDs) and a questionnaire, the analysis revealed that climate change and funeral rites are critical determinants of food insecurity in the Kassena Nankana Municipality of the Upper East Region of Ghana. The results show that while climate change affects the food production systems, the poorly harvested farm produce and livestock are used for the funeral rites of the deceased’s household family. While being sensitive to the cultural aspects of the uses of farm produce and livestock for funeral rites, and given the prevailing climatic conditions, the study recommends the need for traditional authorities and households to consider holding less expensive funeral rites which do not expend future food needs and resources. Again, localised climate change adaptation strategies need to be developed by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support the activities of agriculture in the municipality which is widely known to be susceptible to climate change.

Chiefs and floods: hybrid governance and co-production of flood risk adaptation in Tamale, Ghana

ABSTRACT Climate change is changing physical and social risks facing people in African cities. Emerging awareness is beginning to stimulate a wide range of adaptive responses. These responses are playing out in a complex institutional and governance context which shape their effectiveness and legitimacy. Employing a hybrid governance approach, we investigate the development of flooding and flood protection in the context of urban development in Tamale, Ghana. We argue that the interplay between traditional and state-based authority shapes the market for land, the regulation of land use and the provision of urban services, including flood protection. Hybrid governance influences the types of knowledge applied to urban problem-solving, the legitimacy of choices made, the human and other resources that can be deployed in building community resilience and the willingness to act in the provision of public goods by communities. We suggest how the existing hybrid governance setting could be strengthened to achieve more effective and legitimate adaptation to dynamic flood risks under climate change in Tamale, with lessons for other West African contexts.

A review of the literature on spirituality and religion in information research – 1990 to 2022

PurposeMore than eight in ten people worldwide identify with a religious group. In addition, people often engage with spiritual and religious content despite having no formal beliefs or affiliations. Spirituality remains a prominent feature of Western and Westernised information-based societies and cultures; however, people’s everyday interactions with spiritual and religious information have received disproportionate attention in information and library science research. Accordingly, this paper aims to understand how scholars have explored religion and spirituality in information research and identify current and emerging trends in the literature.Design/methodology/approachThis paper analyses 115 peer-reviewed articles, 44 book chapters, 24 theses and 17 unrefereed papers published between 1990 and 2022 to present a narrative review of how scholars have explored spirituality and religion in information research. The reviewed literature is first organised into spirituality-related and religion-related articles and thereafter analysed in Internet studies, information behaviour studies and galleries, libraries, archives and museums-related research groups.FindingsOur analysis indicates scholars in Internet studies have researched both established and alternative religious interactions, and emerging research agendas seek to explore intersections between traditional religious authority and modern Internet-facilitated engagements. Information behaviour scholars have examined interactions in Christianity and Islam, focused primarily on Western contexts and conventional interactions, with emerging research aiming to explore diverse contextual and methodological combinations. Finally, GLAM researchers have investigated the practicality, suitability, and appropriateness of spirituality and religion-related service provisions; however, a clear research agenda is currently lacking in spirituality and religion information research more broadly.Originality/valueThis paper is the first review of the spirituality and religion-related information research spanning Internet studies, information behaviour studies and galleries, libraries, archives and museums research domains.

The Introduction of Local Government in Mtubatuba: A Threat to the Local Traditional Authorities?

The events leading to the 1994 general elections marked a major turning point in the history of South Africa. The new dispensation saw the introduction of new legislation that would see traditional leaders ‘losing’ their powers to the newly established local government structures. The government’s White Paper on Local Government 1998 offered a new vision of a post-apartheid society, embodied in the concept of developmental local government. As a result, territories previously controlled by the traditional leaders would be divided into municipalities, each governed by an elected municipal council. This paper uses a combination of archival sources such as newspapers, minutes of the committee meetings and other written documentary and oral sources drawn from in-depth interviews with local leaders, traditional leaders, and local people from the area. It argues that the incorporation of remote traditional areas under the jurisdiction of traditional leaders in the newly formed municipalities threatened the powers of traditional leaders and complicated the jobs of newly elected councillors, as they were expected to go through izinduna for any project to be successfully launched. This was the case mainly in instances where a local traditional leader and a councillor belong to different political parties.

Harnessing stakeholder engagement for sustainable agricultural intensification: contemporary evidence from northern Ghana

This article analyses the indispensable role of sustainable agricultural intensification practices (SAIP) in meeting the needs of a burgeoning human population with limited planetary resources and examines the role of various stakeholders in the adoption of these practices by local farmers. The study setting is the Upper West, a semi-arid region of Ghana. The study employs a stakeholder salience theory and a mixed-method design. Firstly, qualitative data were collected and analysed as a basis for formulating a structured questionnaire administered to beneficiary farmers, which were then analysed using marginal effects from logistic regression. Notably, the study found four sustainable crop cultivation practices and three eco-friendly crop storage methods promoted in the area. Furthermore, the engagement of stakeholders like selected farmers, Traditional authorities, and implementing NGOs had statistically significant effects on the adoption of SAIP. However, these effects were smaller when compared to the direct involvement of all beneficiary farmers in the planning and implementation of the intervention. This suggests that while technocrats and authorities are important, they alone cannot achieve the desired impact of development interventions. Beneficiary farmers are the most critical stakeholders in adopting and promoting SAIP. The article further proposes a conceptual framework for implementing SAIP in agro-based rural communities. This research therefore underscores the importance of sustainable agricultural intensification practices in a resource-constrained world and emphasizes the central role of beneficiary farmers in driving the success of such initiatives.

Token-based platform governance

We develop a model to compare the governance of traditional shareholder-owned platforms to that of platforms that issue tokens. A traditional shareholder governance structure leads a platform to extract rents from its users. A platform that issues tokens for its services can mitigate this rent extraction, as rent extraction lowers the platform owners’ token seigniorage revenues. However, this mitigation from issuing “service tokens” is effective only if the platform can commit itself not to dilute the “service token” subsequently. Issuing “hybrid tokens” that bundle claims on the platform’s services and its profits enhances efficiency even absent ex-ante commitment power. Finally, giving users the right to vote on platform policies, by contrast, redistributes surplus but does not necessarily enhance efficiency.

The Evolution of Minangkabau Elite: Modernization and Cultural Shifts in Nagari Kurai, 19th-20th Century

The problem addressed in this research focuses on the socio-cultural transformation of the Minangkabau elite during the colonial period, particularly in Nagari Kurai. Using the historical research method, the study traces the evolution of the local elites through archival analysis and ethnographic records. The key finding reveals that the establishment of Bukittinggi as a colonial center and the spread of modernity in the early 20th century prompted the rise of a new urban elite, distinct from traditional authorities. In conclusion, the study suggests that colonial modernity played a pivotal role in reshaping cultural and political hierarchies in Minangkabau society.

Integration of Local Wisdom and Modern Policies: The Role of Traditional Village Government In The Implementation of Sasi In Maluku

This study aims to analyze the role of traditional village governments in implementing sasi in Negeri Lima, Leihitu District, Maluku, particularly focusing on the integration of local wisdom with modern policies in managing natural resources. Sasi, a traditional resource management system, has long been practiced in Maluku but has evolved alongside modern government policies and contemporary challenges. This research employs a qualitative method, with data collected through observation and in-depth interviews. The findings reveal that traditional village governments play a crucial role as intermediaries between local communities and modern policies. In Negeri Lima, the implementation of sasi is managed more systematically due to strong collaboration between traditional institutions, such as the Kewang, and local government policies. This integration enables more adaptive natural resource management, including boosting the economic value of local commodities like nutmeg and coconut. The study concludes that the role of traditional village governments extends beyond merely preserving traditions; it also involves innovating in sustainable natural resource management. This research offers a fresh perspective on how local wisdom can be preserved through the synergy between tradition and modern governance.

The Ngirri Regulatory Society and Power Reinforcement in Local Governance in the Mbum-land Northwest Region, Cameroon: ca. 1800 - 1902

Besides many others, Ngirri, as a regulatory society in the African context in general and specifically in the Northwest Region of Cameroon, is a political institution that regulates state power. This happened more especially in the pre-colonial states, where each chiefdom or kingdom was a state on its own. In contemporary African society, such regulatory role has been greatly reduced, as regulatory societies have been reduced to mere socio-cultural groups. The problem that necessitated this study is the fact that Ngirri’s regulatory role has been diminished by the intruding Europeans, to such a point that its preponderant activities have been misinterpreted and viewed as secret and it has been finally referred to as a secret society. This study therefore sought to trace its origin, develop its evolution in the Mbum-land, bring out its contribution towards local governance, and show the challenges it faced in reinforcing the power of the traditional government in the pre-colonial Mbum society. To accomplish this, the article primarily utilized the qualitative method of analysis. Consequently, it made use of oral tradition and interviews, as well as archival materials and other primary, secondary, and tertiary sources. These sources were cross-checked against each other in order to be certain of the facts. The findings were that Ngirri did not play only a social role. Most importantly, it played a governmental role as the executive arm of the traditional government. It therefore facilitated local governance in the Mbum traditional states through its inclusive handling of issues.

Population Growth and Resource Scarcity: Implications for Conflict and Cooperation in Taraba State, Nigeria

Population growth has profound effects on resource availability and social dynamics in many regions across the globe. In Taraba State, Nigeria, the rapid increase in population has intensified resource scarcity, leading to heightened conflicts among communities, particularly those reliant on land and water for their livelihoods. This study examines how population growth intersects with resource depletion, conflict, and cooperation in Taraba State. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving the analysis of questionnaire data from 294 respondents and qualitative insights from interviews with 10 local leaders, agriculturalists, and herders. The findings reveal that population growth significantly exacerbates the depletion of essential resources, such as land and water, with 72.8% of respondents indicating that population increases directly impact resource availability. This scarcity has led to a 78.3% occurrence of conflicts in areas experiencing severe resource depletion. The study also shows that resource scarcity forces communities into competition, often escalating tensions into violent disputes. However, the research accentuates the critical role of traditional governance structures, which were acknowledged by 64.3% of the respondents as key to fostering cooperation and mitigating conflicts in the state. The study concludes that integrating traditional governance systems with formal frameworks is essential for sustainable resource management and conflict reduction in Taraba State. Policymakers should prioritize these strategies to address the challenges posed by rapid population growth and resource scarcity, ensuring the long-term stability and well-being of communities in the state.

Digitization of Religious Tafsir: The Fading of Indonesian Ulama Authority in Post Truth Era

In the current post-truth era, the traditional authority and credibility of Ulama, who have historically been regarded as the paramount source of religious knowledge, are increasingly compromised. This research investigates the diminishing role and efficacy of Indonesian Ulama in addressing religious and social challenges due to the pervasive influence of the Internet and social media, which provide rapid and seemingly authoritative solutions that overshadow traditional scholarly roles. The study employs a mixed-method approach, integrating observations, interviews, and comprehensive library research, incorporating both physical and digital sources. The findings elucidate three critical issues: first, the limited digital literacy among traditional Indonesian Ulama, which impedes their effective engagement with digital platforms; second, a notable gap in the public's comprehension of how to utilize digital media for religious discourse, despite an increasing interest in religious matters; and third, the superficial understanding and heightened biases among the public, stemming from the ease of accessing religious solutions via social media. This study makes a significant contribution to the discourse by underscoring the urgent necessity for Ulama to enhance their digital literacy, thereby reclaiming their authoritative role in the socio-religious landscape and ensuring that their insights remain relevant and accessible in the digital age.

Reconstruction of Gender Roles and Female Self-Identity: A Case Study of the Film Kill Bill

Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill was released in North America in 2003. The storyline is relatively simple, revolving around Beatrix, a former professional assassin in the underworld, who, upon discovering her pregnancy, decides to abandon her past life of violence and bloodshed and settle down as the owner of a video store. Bill, her former lover and boss, dissatisfied with Beatrix's silent withdrawal from the "Vipers" organization, leads his criminal associates to massacre the wedding rehearsal, leaving no one alive except the protagonist. After miraculously surviving and lying in a hospital for four years, Beatrix embarks on a journey to exact revenge on her enemies. Undoubtedly, Kill Bill is often labeled as a revenge-driven and violent Hollywood film. However, beyond its violent exterior, the film reveals deeper feminist perspectives: it challenges traditional male authority, reflects women's resistance to the constraints on personal and emotional freedom, and highlights the awakening of modern female consciousness.

Cybersecurity and Italian critical infrastructures: the return of the state?

ABSTRACT Security strategies have increasingly come to include references to critical infrastructures, seen as security assets to be preserved. In the Italian case, the rise in cyberattacks against critical infrastructures has been associated with a perception of their increasing relevance as potential threats. This has led to renewed attention towards the governance model adopted in this issue area and, in particular, towards the role of private actors and public-private partnerships, the actual owners of the infrastructures, now called upon to contribute to the provision of security as a public good, but with limited capabilities and a limited interest in doing so. Looking at the Italian case, the article shows that the traditional cybersecurity governance model, involving private actors in an equal relationship with public actors, has seen a subtle and gradual shift towards an increasing strengthening of the authority of public actors (verticalization).

Traditional Authorities and Strategies in Demands for Self-Determination

Abstract Ethnic groups employ different strategies to pursue demands for self-determination. While some act within conventional channels of political contestation, others choose non-conventional strategies, including violence and rebellion. We conceive of this as a result of bargaining between group and state and argue that both sides’ institutions affect the likelihood of escalation. Specifically, groups with traditional authorities have the capacity and incentives to escalate conflicts. Only when such institutions are matched with internal accountability mechanisms can groups credibly commit so that bargaining failure and violence less likely. Similarly, states with open elections can tie their hands more effectively, and constitutional regulations of traditional authorities formalize state-group interactions, which also mitigates the effect of traditional authorities on conflict. We use new global data on groups that demand self-determination, their traditional political institutions, and their strategy choice from 2005 to 2015. We find support for our argument using various identification and estimation approaches. Groups with traditional authorities are much more likely to use violence, a finding that is not sensitive to the omission of unobserved confounders. Furthermore, this relationship is moderated by group-level audience costs and the strategic environment provided by the state. Our findings advance new perspectives on the interactions of customary and national institutions in determining subnational conflict.

Sulat Pasa: Its Implications to Local Divorce Practice among the Sama of Tawi-Tawi, Philippines

This study investigates Tawi-Tawi’s sulat pasa (traditional divorce paper), particularly as it relates to Sama divorcees, and if it provides a workable way to end their marriage. Through qualitative-descriptive research, it reviews the characteristics of local divorce documents, the processes involved in getting them, and their effects and implications on local divorce practice. With the institutionalization of the Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines, Muslim Filipinos should follow the divorce procedures laid in it. However, this legal hybridity is seen as inadequate because it looks insensitive to the long-standing customs and beliefs of the Muslims, jeopardizing their autonomy and self-instituting cultural traditions about divorce. Furthermore, because divorce conflicts and their resolution have been entirely integrated into the Philippine judicial system, the existing system does not provide speedy resolution to the satisfaction of the Muslim divorcee/s. Despite the implementation of the Muslim Code, the study found that Sama in Tawi-Tawi continued to present and bring their divorce cases to the traditional authority for enforcement. Given the Code’s lax implementation, local divorce cases outside Shari’ah court proceedings remain critical. The study proposes a measure through direct parliament action, such as adding a provision to the existing Bangsamoro Organic Law once the Muslim Code is upgraded, and, in the interim, this can be done through collaboration with the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, local religious and elective officials, and women’s organizations to institutionalize the traditional divorce paper as also legal, and binding taking into account issues of accessibility, affordability, practicability, and feasibility.

Stakeholder dynamics and territorial disputes in nature reserves management: A case of Cwebe community, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Nature reserves are important ideational spaces where global goals on environmental conservation can be achieved. However, their management is complex and challenging when multiple stakeholders claim ownership and control. This study was centered on this debate and explored stakeholder dynamics and territorial disputes around nature reserves, with a focus on Mhlanganisweni and eLalini Villages situated adjacent to Cwebe Nature Reserve (used interchangeably with 'the Nature Reserve') in South Africa. The aim was to understand the dynamics of the relationship between local communities and the Nature Reserve management, and to investigate how these factors contribute to territorial disputes and their consequences. Qualitative data was collected from women, youth, the elderly, and traditional authorities on one hand, and the management of the Nature Reserve on the other. The study found complex stakeholder relationships among stakeholders, with local communities frequently losing out in territorial disputes. This outcome is evident from the territorial disputes that arise over exclusion in decision-making, natural resource exploitation, and conservation policies within and around the Nature Reserve. The study recommends the implementation of a more inclusive conservation framework that acknowledges the perspectives of multiple stakeholders.

Research on Chinese Legal Regulation of Internet Violence in the Internet Era

The rapid development of network and communication technology has given rise to an open information society with free dissemination of information. The development of the Internet has provided a realistic possibility for the realization of the free dissemination of information, but at the same time, the vigorous development of the Internet and the application of various technical means have also posed challenges to China's traditional social governance. In recent years, various online chaos has emerged in Chinese society, such as the implementation of online human flesh searches, the creation and dissemination of online rumors, and the launch of online verbal abuse. This not only seriously infringes on the personal rights and interests of citizens, disrupts online order, but also has many negative effects on creating a harmonious and orderly social environment. Therefore, it is imperative for China to rely on legal means to govern online violence.

Pushing health data access boundaries - adapting NHS governance for 3 challenges: clinical free-text, safe commercial access and AI development

This presentation will demonstrate expansions to TRE governance frameworks developed to facilitate safe data access in three advanced areas: commercial access, clinical free-text, and innovation with AI/Machine Learning. NHS research governance frameworks - originally set up for clinical trials and expanded into the TRE and secondary data use space – are not an immediate fit for advanced techniques in data science research. Over 2 years, public, expert and user engagement approaches were utilised to support developing frameworks within DataLoch, a Health and Social Care TRE and data access service in South-East Scotland. Surveys, workshops and continuous user and data controller feedback allowed the testing of tools and assessments to adapt traditional NHS governance structures. These frameworks utilise the Five Safes framework to make NHS data controllers supportive of innovative research in the public and health service’s benefit. The presentation will summarise the challenges faced for one TRE and researchers working to support these areas, and the frameworks that are now are being tested within an NHS Scotland Health Board. The development and implementation demonstrates that governance structures can be adapted collaboratively and paves the way for more flexible TRE governance to allow the use of NHS patient data to remain legally and ethically robust while supporting advanced techniques of analysis.

Cultural Perspectives on Financial Accountability in a Balinese Traditional Village

Abstract This study aims to develop accountability practices that harmonize with the local spiritual culture in the Jimbaran traditional village. The current accountability practices are viewed not just as formal procedures but also as informal practices involving moral and ethical relationships with God. An ethnomethodological study integrated with Catur Marga culture as a critical perspective revealed the problem of delays in submitting accountability reports due to the shift in the cultural meaning of “ngayah” and the shift in the implementation of religious ceremonies from spiritual practices to more formal activities. These problems can be addressed by synergizing Catur Marga principles with accountability practices. First, involve community representatives, religious leaders, and traditional elders in the village's financial management, as in regular meetings to align the vision and mission to strengthen the “ngayah” motivation in governance and financial accountability. Second, the traditional village governments must consistently provide Dharmawacana and management accounting training to balance scientific knowledge with traditional spiritual–cultural knowledge. Last is the development of the Catur Marga-based Pararem, which regulates the technical aspects of financial management accountability and should be synchronized with the spirit of devotion to God to preserve the local spiritual culture in the Jimbaran traditional village.

Peran Komunikasi Pemangku Adat Nagari Padang Laweh Dalam Mengatasi Sengketa Tanah Ulayat

This research aims to examine the role of traditional leaders' communication in Nagari Padang Laweh Malalo in resolving customary land disputes in Tanah Datar Regency. Customary land disputes often lead to prolonged and complex conflicts within indigenous communities. To address this issue, the study employs a qualitative approach, gathering data through semi-structured interviews with traditional leaders and direct field observations. The findings indicate that traditional leaders play a vital role in mediating and resolving disputes, which serves as a benchmark in customary land conflict resolution. They prioritize consensus-building and active community participation in the conflict resolution process. Respect for traditional customs has proven effective in achieving fair and sustainable solutions. Additionally, collaboration among traditional leaders, government authorities, and legal institutions strengthens efforts to resolve disputes, thereby fostering harmony and stability within the community. In conclusion, this study confirms that effective communication and mediation strategies rooted in customary values are key to addressing customary land disputes in Nagari Padang Laweh Malalo. These findings provide valuable insights for managing land conflicts in other indigenous communities and reinforce the role of traditional leaders in promoting peace and justice within society