Resolving Conflict in African Traditional Society: An Imperative of Indigenous African System

The paper examines the mechanism for conflict resolution in traditional African societies before the advent of colonialism in the continent in which Yoruba society was x-rayed as a reference point. It is however noted, that in resolving conflict in traditional African societies, the platform always provide opportunity for the parties involved to interact, building consensus and provision of order in a given society. The traditional conflict resolution techniques such as mediation, negotiation, adjudication and reconciliation were also examined and the indigenous personalities in conflict resolution in African societies which includes kings and chiefs, ancestors, elders and family heads and family system. It is believed that the advent of colonialism attempted to wipe out the Africans’ methods of monitoring, preventing, managing and resolving conflicts. Africans also had their peculiar ways and manners of effecting peace-making, peace building, and confidence building. Based on these major roles played by indigenous knowledge in traditional African societies in conflict resolution beside the development process. It is concluded that, it is necessary however that the original African values must be revisited.