Traditional Leaders Research Articles

Leading with care: how health-promoting leadership drives innovation in the Middle East

PurposeLeveraging the job demands-resources (JD-R) theory, this study proposes and validates a mediation model depicting the impact of health-promoting leadership (HPL) on innovation performance (IP), with the relationship partially mediated by two health-related factors: psychological well-being (PWB) and positive conflict (PC).Design/methodology/approachEmploying a structured questionnaire developed from validated scales sourced from the existing literature, the study collected data from a sample of 310 employees across various organizations within the service sector of the United Arab Emirates. The dimensionality, reliability, and validity of scales were assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The study’s seven hypotheses were tested through structural equation modeling in AMOS and mediation analysis using the Hayes process model in SPSS.FindingsSupport was found for all seven hypotheses, demonstrating that HPL exerts both a direct and an indirect effect on IP, with PWB and PC serving as partial mediators.Research limitations/implicationsDistinct from the traditional leadership literature, which often views an employee’s psychological health as a personal matter, this study highlights the organizational role in promoting psychological well-being. It also provides significant theoretical contributions to the underexplored area of conflict management within the context of innovation.Practical implicationsBy promoting employees' PWB, HPL can optimize human capital within organizations. Additionally, leaders can leverage the potential of PC to foster an environment conducive to innovation, resulting in enhanced organizational performance.Originality/valueThe findings enrich the leadership and IP literature by identifying inter-relationships between the three health related antecedents of IP.

The Transformative Nature of Indigenous Knowledge Systems to Address Gender Inequality

Women have played a significant role in the history of Africa and indigenous normative systems and continue to do so. However, today their roles are in some quarters undermined due to patriarchy. South Africa has been changing and transforming to be more inclusive of the important contributions of women in traditional leadership roles. Traditional leadership is the oldest form of governance in Africa; however, men have historically occupied the throne. In pre-colonial societies, traditional leadership was determined by gender-defined roles between men and women; however, it became a problem after colonialism, when the gender-defined roles became distorted and patriarchy dominated. This led to the exclusion of women from leadership positions and the situation persisted into the modern-day. This contribution argues that women can lead, as history has proven that they are great leaders, but decisions about their leadership and choices must be determined based on their own choices and the protection of their voices. Decisions as seen from judicial pronouncements in South Africa are made to protect the right to equality and dignity of women, but if not done properly, it has the effect of undermining the very rights that state institutions aim to protect. This article recommends consideration of women’s voices across South Africa, especially in rural areas. Society must hear how they feel about their role as traditional leaders and how succession to these positions will bring challenges, for example, what will happen if a woman leader marries a commoner.

Health Education To Religious And Traditional Leaders Improves Knowledge, Attitude And Action In Supporting The Detection Of New Cases Of Leprosy

Health Education To Religious And Traditional Leaders Improves Knowledge, Attitude And Action In Supporting The Detection Of New Cases Of Leprosy

Qualitative Study of the Role of Fathers in Stunting Incidence in South Central Timor Regency

Stunting is a condition of chronic malnutrition accompanied by disease complications, which has negative impacts, both short and long term. In the short term, children will be at risk and susceptible to infectious diseases, while in the long term, in adulthood they will be at risk of suffering from chronic diseases. Low income affects household nutrition. The incidence of stunting cannot be separated from habits, cultural beliefs, knowledge and perceptions of local communities regarding fulfilling family nutrition. These beliefs have an influence on child care. The aim of this research is to identify the role of fathers in the incidence of stunting in South Central Timor Regency. This type of qualitative research uses focus group discussion (FGD) methods and in-depth interviews. The respondents involved for the qualitative approach were government figures (village heads and sub-district heads), religious leaders, traditional leaders, health services, community health centers and fathers with toddlers totaling 7 people from each village. The results obtained on average are that fathers know the direct causes of stunting, not because of their knowledge but because fathers are less aware of their child's parenting patterns. Parenting patterns regarding monitoring children's meal times, personal hygiene and providing diverse and nutritious food are lacking. On average, a father is busy earning a living, many even work outside the city so their children are entrusted to their grandparents, there is a lack of control in the family so there are many early marriages under the age of 20, the family economy is weak so people have less purchasing power to earn money. nutritious food ingredients. The conclusion from this research is that the role of fathers is one of the causes of stunting in South Central Timor Regency.

Conflict and coexistence: analysing the dynamics between traditional leadership and democratic governance in Dukuduku, KwaZulu-Natal

This paper examines the conflicts arising from the coexistence of traditional leadership and democratic local governance in Dukuduku, KwaZulu-Natal, a region marked by overlapping authority and contested land claims. Despite constitutional recognition, traditional leadership in post-apartheid South Africa remains ambiguously defined, leading to clashes with democratically elected structures over roles, responsibilities, and territory. This study uses a qualitative methodology to analyse archival materials, media sources, and meeting records and conducts semi-structured interviews with 25 stakeholders, including traditional leaders, senior citizens, and subsistence farmers. The findings reveal that introducing a local government system under the Amakhosi jurisdiction precipitates confrontations, particularly where duties intersect. In Dukuduku—proclaimed a state forest—the recognition of traditional authority creates disputes over land ownership and governance, complicating the administration of land and impacting service delivery. The analysis suggests that the institutional "invention" and subsequent "recognition" of traditional leadership in areas like Dukuduku not only challenge the perceptions of state land but also exacerbate power struggles, thereby affecting local development and governance. The study contributes to understanding the dynamic interplay between traditional and democratic governance systems in rural South Africa. It highlights the implications for policy and local administration in managing such dual governance structures effectively. This study explains how hard it is to combine traditional structures with a modern democratic framework. It also gives us a better understanding of what this means for rural governance and land management in changing societies.

Pemerintahan Tradisional di Dataran Tinggi Karo Masa Pemerintahan Kolonial Belanda

This article discusses the influence of the Sultanate of Aceh since 1868 on the traditional Karo leaders who ruled in the five sebayak or kingdoms of Sebayak Lingga, Suka, Barus Jahe, Sarinembah and Kuta Buluh. Aceh's influence extended to only four of the five kingdoms, with Kuta Buluh remaining independent. Aceh's influence was less profound among traditional Karo leaders and almost non-existent among the general population, as Acehnese Islamic traditions and religion were not adopted at that time. Dutch rule began to influence traditional Karo leaders in 1905, but it wasn't until 1908 that it became region-wide. Dutch influence was very strong, both on the leaders and the Karo people. The Dutch completely controlled the leaders in the Karo plains, who in turn applied their leadership to their subordinates, the Raja Urung who ruled the urung and the Penghulu who ruled the village. The Dutch also regulated the government system, changing the name of kesebayakan into Landschappen, and restructuring the number of urung. This research uses the historical method with an analytical descriptive approach to discuss the government system and social life during the influence of the Sultanate of Aceh and the Dutch in the Karo highlands.

From Tradition to Action: The Potential of Community Empowerment Through Local Wisdom for Sustainable Environmental Protection Practices

Local wisdom is the values, norms, and traditions that are passed down from generation to generation in a community group. This research aims to explore the potential for community empowerment through local wisdom values in the context of protection environmental practices in the community of Lawang Agung Village, South Sumatra, Indonesia. This research uses a qualitative approach with case study analysis techniques. Data collection was carried out by conducting systematic observations and in-depth interviews with participants and supported by documentary data to strengthen the results of research analysis. The informants in this study totalled 8 people consisting of 2 community leaders, 2 traditional leaders, and 4 people who play an active role in various cultural activities in the research locus area and have participated in cultural and environmental communities for more than 5 years. All research data were collected and reduced within the research boundaries so that the research results could be presented in accordance with the research objectives. The research analysis will be interpreted to develop a deeper understanding of the phenomenon under study. The research results show several things including: (1) Lawang Agung Village has a long history of practicing local wisdom and using natural resources wisely. (2) The spirit of gotong royong (mutual cooperation) and community cohesiveness is starting to fade due to the impact of individualism and modernization, shifting collective priorities to achieve personal gain. (3) The potential for empowerment for environmental conservation practices can be optimized with the stages of identifying empowerment potential, planning and organizing, implementing, and disseminating results/experiences. (4) Integration of spiritual values is also an important step in strengthening the transformation of local wisdom values into concrete actions in sustainable environmental conservation practices. The implication of the findings of this research is the exploration of various potentials of local wisdom values to strengthen environmentally wise behavior by integrating them in people's daily lives. This research also contributes to the strengthening of the theory and practice of environmental empowerment that prioritizes the local wisdom of the community.

Conflict resolution in the customary village governance administration of Baduy, Tengger, and Samin ethnic groups in Indonesia

In Indonesia, the village government organization is part of local democracy. This includes the local democracy in indigenous villages. Indigenous villages have their own customary rules for implementing village elections. They have their own conflict resolution systems in implementing the village government. The implementation of the indigenous village governance leaves conflicts. So, there is a need for a suitable model for resolving problems in the implementation of village elections. The method used in this research is the qualitative research method with the juridical empirical approach. The locus of this research is in the Baduy, Tengger, and Samin indigenous village communities. The conflict resolution model in the administration of the Baduy, Tengger, and Samin customary villages differs in the right mechanism, but in substance, the resolution model is the same, as they use a deliberation model for consensus. In resolving conflicts, indigenous peoples fully submit to traditional leaders. The provincial and the regency/city governments are expected to give greater attention to the conditions of villages with customary government characteristics.

A need for emotionally intelligent leaders in educational institutions: A review of the effects of leadership style on burnout teachers

For the three pillars of education: teacher, student, and curriculum to function properly, leadership plays an intrinsic role. Academic leadership aims to provide the right working environment for proper teaching and learning to take place. Thus, leadership style has a paramount effect on teachers who consequently affect students and ensure proper instruction to all aspects of curriculum. This article review aims to unfold the dynamics of this relationship. In particular the researchers will attempt to explore the role of transformational leadership which also displays qualities of emotional intelligence on reducing the occurrence of the syndrome of burn out among teachers. Sample of empirical, experimental and case studies that examined the correlation between symptoms and causes of job burnout among teachers and the style of leadership practiced will be presented. Seven of which were examined to verify the impact of leadership in a school setting and three others to examine the same impact but in a university context. As a result, researchers assert that in traditional leadership where qualities of empathy, social awareness, and management of relationships are missing, job burnout cases among teachers increase. Finally, a recommendation to introduce emotional intelligence skills into academic leaders' training programs was made. The findings of this study shall serve leaders and policymakers in the teaching and learning sector in a way that would benefit them and assist their subordinates in avoiding burnout and achieve greater heights.

“We have that connection, we have love; we take wildlife as gifts from our ancestors”: relations between antelopes and Khwe in Namibia’s Bwabwata National Park

Wildlife plays significant roles in many societies that go beyond its ecological importance and economic rationale associated with conservation. This article examines the meanings of antelopes for the Khwe people in Bwabwata National Park in north-eastern Namibia. It underlines the importance that indigenous communities attach to wildlife and advocates for a more comprehensive understanding of human-wildlife relationships beyond ecological and economic values and the usual framing of conflicting relationships. The article explores how antelopes go beyond being merely “wild animals” to being intertwined in the lives and spaces of the Khwe. Drawing from secondary data, lived experiences and empirical data collected through qualitative methods of semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, we engage Khwe residents in Bwabwata National Park, including elders, traditional leaders and the management committee of the Kyaramacan Association. Our fundamental question is: what lessons can we draw from the relations of the Khwe with certain antelope species to foster coexistence in Namibia’s community conservation landscapes? Conceptually, we adopt the concept of mechanical solidarity, which emphasises a collective conscience based on shared knowledge, norms and values. We propose that integrating this approach into community conservation practices could enhance conservation outcomes.

Agricultural Landscape Model Based on the Culture of the Indigenous People of Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi

Abstract The interaction between humans and their environment forms cultural landscape. One of the cultural landscape in Indonesia is Tana Toraja. The Tana Toraja indigenous people’s way of life refers to the Aluk Todolo religion which regulates the relationships of between human-human, human-God (Puang Matua), and human-environment. The regulation influences their environment, settlement, and agriculture management. Agriculture in Tana Toraja is managed by the community not only for the economic sector but also to ensure food security and preserve traditional cultural activities. This study aims to identify and analyze the elements that make up the agricultural landscape of the Tana Toraja indigenous people, as well as develop a local culture-based agricultural landscape model. The method using in this research was spatial descriptive method by tracing customary manuscripts (literature review), interviewing traditional leaders, and field observations. This research has identified the elements that make up the Tana Toraja agricultural landscape were hills, rivers and springs, forests, rice fields, dryland fields, gardens, fish ponds (gusean), yards, and cattle pens. Integrated agriculture that is carried out based on local customs is paddy-fish integrative farming, rice-livestock integrative farming, agroforestry, and crop-livestock integrative farming. The form of integrated agriculture can be seen at the macro and micro levels and consists of spatial concepts, vegetation concepts, and circulation concepts. At the macro level, which consists of four landform hierarchies in the settlement landscape, which indicates their philosophy of life, they are successively a sacred place (hill), their ancestral home, the general settlement and agricultural areas, and development area for their subsequent offspring.

Did traditional leaders succeed in restoring law and order during the 2021 riots and looting in South Africa? Insights from Indigenous scholars

Did traditional leaders succeed in restoring law and order during the 2021 riots and looting in South Africa? Insights from Indigenous scholars

Typology of Traditional Domestic Architecture based on Social Stratifications: The Case of Mamasa Tribe, Indonesia

Typologies of traditional domestic architecture across the world are based on numerous criteria. Certainly, social stratification is one among them. Mamasa tribe located in the West Sulawesi Province, which is one of the Indonesian ethnic groups with traditional architecture do so based on the social and economic levels of the community and the caste divisions. Their traditional architectural heritage still maintained to this day is the Mamasa traditional house called banua. The Mamasa community introduced caste divisions based on the social and economic levels of the community which physically influenced the form and typology of the Mamasa traditional house. This study examines the architectural aspects influenced by the social stratification of the Mamasa community: the function, form, space, material, appearance and decorative variety of the Mamasa traditional house. The research employed exploratory qualitative methods. Data collection techniques included direct observations, interviews and literature studies. In-depth interviews were conducted with several traditional leaders related to the Mamasa traditional house. The field data was correlated with data from the literature studies: journals, books, or website sources related to the research study. The findings indicate a strong correlation between the architecture of the traditional Mamasa house and the social stratification that exists in the Mamasa community. The typology based on the social stratification of the Mamasa society is: the first type, Banua Sura' is intended for the tana' bulawan or high nobility class. The second type, Banua Bolong is intended for the tana' bassi or the ordinary nobility class. The third type, Banua Rapa is intended for the tana' karurung or free-people class. The fourth type, Banua Longkarrin is intended for the tana' kua-kua or the slave class. These four types of banua each reflect the social and economic status of the homeowners through their architecture.

Community Empowerment in the Development of Bayan Tourism Villages in North Lombok District

Community empowerment is an important aspect in developing tourist villages. This is because the development of tourist villages uses a lot of resources owned by the community. The community has an important role in supporting the success of tourism village development so that powerless communities need to be empowered to create independence and economic prosperity for the community. This type of research is qualitative research using data collection techniques, namely interviews, documentation, observation, focus group discussions and literature studies. Interviews are a data collection method with both direct and indirect data sources. This study examines tourism potential, the role of the community and how to empower the community. Data sources were obtained from the head of Bayan Village, the head of the tourism awareness group, traditional leaders of Bayan Village and the community in Bayan Village to serve as sources. The village can be used as a tourist attraction so that it can invite tourists to come to the Bayan Tourism Village. The existence of this tourist village can increase income opportunities for the community and reduce unemployment. Empowerment is carried out by providing training to the Bayan village community about tourism so that they can take advantage of the opportunities that exist in the Bayan tourist village and can create their own employment opportunities. Having a tourist village can empower the community in Bayan Village, North Lombok Regency.

Huma BetHuma Betang-Based Resolution of Mining Land Conflictsang Based Mining Land Conflict Resolution

This study aimed to explore local wisdom treasures related to the study of legal culture which was not widely known by the public. This study used a mix of anthropological and juridical philosophical methods. It used the socio-legal study approach conducted through direct exploration and structured interviews. Results showed that Dayak Bakumpai indigenous people highly uphold the inclusive cultural principles contained in the Huma Betang philosophies. One of the philosophies was the resolution of mining land conflicts, influenced by the culture’s positive values. This value was adopted from an inclusive culture in the Belom Bahadat values that are upheld by the Bakumpai Dayak community. Meanwhile, conflict resolution was carried out through "Bahandep Bahapakat Rakat", which is a practice of helping each other in deliberations. This is so that the headman or local traditional leader can help people return to harmony.

Women's Role In Conflict Management Of Social Forestry : A Case Of Sungai Buluh Village

This research explored forest management goals - conservation and socio-economic goals. It is seen that the goal of socio-economic reduces forest conservation. The ideological conflict between the two approaches can be overcome through the management of property rights and access to forest resource utilization that is not for the purpose of local interests. Ownership rights to land in Minangkabau are in the hands of women, but men have the ability to determine the use of the land. The difference between property rights and access rights between women and men in processing customary land and Nagari land is a means of resolving conflicts between the government, traditional leaders and land managers in processing social forestry in the inheritance and matrilineal system of the Minangkabau community. This study focused on the role women play in conflict management of social forests in Nagari Sungai Buluh. From the results of research conducted using qualitative research methods and case study approaches, it was found that the role of women in conflict management included bringing together the community and the government in meetings discussing the planning and management of social forestry Keywords: confluct management, feminist perspective, social forestry, sustainable development.

Characterizing Excellence: Lessons From Awarded Military-Technological Leaders

As technological superiority becomes increasingly vital for military effectiveness, a distinct category of technological leaders has emerged within militaries. This qualitative study explores excellence in this domain by interviewing 11 recipients of the prestigious Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Technological Award. In-depth interviews grounded in the critical incident technique revealed four integral facets of military tech leadership excellence: Technical mastery built through expertise and continuous learning, mission dedication demonstrated through overcoming obstacles, interpersonal skills in understanding needs and translating across domains, and adaptability in integrating innovation. Notable findings show that technologists adhere to canonical military leadership values such as mission dedication, although they apply them distinctly for technological purposes. Compared with traditional military leadership, tech leaders have specialized skills in bridging operational necessities and technological solutions. This study proposes a framework that encapsulates the attributes, motivations, and behaviors that underpin excellence in military technological leadership. These findings have implications for selection, training, and development of future leaders in military technology.

Local Wisdom of 3 (Three) Batu Tungku in Handling Pancasila-Based Conflicts

One of the Pancasila-based conflict management arrangements is the local wisdom of 3 (three) hearth stones. Local wisdom is 3 (three) hearthstones in handling conflict involving the Head of Government, Traditional Leaders and Religious Leaders. Conflict handling using local wisdom has not been implemented optimally, even though it really touches the basic part of community life itself, where the local wisdom of 3 Batu Tungku is carried out with a joint handling process within the family involving the village authority as Head of Government to control the course of the procession, Traditional Leaders play an important role as a liaison with the ancestors to carry out PAMALI traditional ceremonies, and the involvement of Religious Figures as a sign of belief in the God they believe in, these three institutions work together and maintain each other's calling duties when they function so that they do not leave behind grudges and hatred. The continuity of conflict management based on the local wisdom of 3 hearth stones carried out in Maluku, especially on Buru Island in Buru Regency, is also an answer to the recommendation for the creation of regional regulations to strengthen conflict management in the Republic of Indonesia region based on Pancasila as a follow-up to the implementation of the PKS Law and Regional Government Law and in accordance with the Principles 4 of the Republic of Indonesia Pancasila.

Local Wisdom in Sebambangan Traditional Marriage Practices: A Maqāṣid Sharī’ah Perspective

This research examines the traditional marriage custom of Sebambangan in Lampung. It involves a man abducting the girl he intends to marry without the consent of her family and taking her to his family's residence. This socio-legal research gathered data through interviews with traditional leaders, indigenous community members, and religious figures. Maqāṣid Sharī’ah is used as an analytical tool to address the social problems arising from the practice of Sebambangan marriage. The finding reveals that Lampung culture and Islam have been acculturated into the social system. The traditional marriage system in Lampung can be divided into two types: marriage through a formal proposal process, which is conducted as a grand traditional ceremony (gawei besar) or a simpler traditional ceremony (gawei kecil), and marriage without a formal proposal process, known as kawin larian (elopement), or in Lampung terms, kawin Sebambangan. It is part of the local cultural wealth; however, the series of traditional marriage processes must respect the applicable legal provisions and consider the main purpose of marriage. The Sebambangan marriage tradition, with its various processes, currently lacks the value aspects found in maqāṣid sharī’ah, especially the preferences of hifẓ an-nafs, hifẓ al-‘aql, and hifẓ al-‘irdh. It is hoped that the Sebambangan tradition, as a local cultural and wisdom asset in Lampung, can pay more attention to and consider important aspects of marriage, such as the maslahah (well-being) value, the main purpose of marriage in religion, and the protection of a sense of justice, so that local wisdom can be preserved and does not become a social problem for the community. This research is expected to serve as a reference for stakeholders to evaluate and oversee the practice of cultural preservation in harmony with universal values, such as well-being and justice

Knowledge based interventions for sustainable development cooperation: insights from knowledge systems mapping in Zambia

Knowledge is an essential determinant and component of the international development cooperation agenda and projects. Therefore, it is vital to understand and reflect on how knowledge in international development cooperation is created, what knowledge counts, and how it influences the planning, implementation, and outcomes of international development cooperation projects. In this paper, we critically examine the knowledge system of the development cooperation of the Czech Republic, an emerging donor country, by applying system theory and utilizing system properties as an analytical tool. To this end, we carried out a multi-phase qualitative research with actors from the Czech Republic and Zambia. Subsequently, we analysed the knowledge system properties and identified those often overlooked by development actors, such as taboos, mistrust, and development burden, revealing how knowledge flows can be obstructed by these characteristics. In addition, we compiled a set of suitable interventions to tackle the overlooked system properties and foster knowledge cross-fertilisation. These interventions include, among others, active engagement of traditional leaders, active work with narratives of success, and introducing action-reflection-reaction cycle into the development practice. Furthermore, the proposed interventions clearly emphasize the need for more collaborative and transdisciplinary processes. Finally, we discuss that it is essential to uncover deep layers of the international development cooperation knowledge system to shift and leverage it towards more inclusive and just outcomes.