Indigenous Rituals, Panacea for Peace Building, Conflict Management and National Development in Africa

Abstract

Africa continent has a long and complex history and a sociocultural ecosystem imbued with ritual practices that make it particularistic and distinct from the rest of the continents and this has not been appreciated by the global community. Africa as the second largest and second most populous continent after Asia in both respects in the world accounts for about 18% of the world’s human population and is endowed with many indigenous spectacles’ diversities of cultural ritual practices heritage, and spiritual activities. Despite the rich cultural heritage and ritual practices, Africa has remained a hub for conflict in the world’s psycho-political, religious, and economic map. These ritual practices form a matrix in promoting communications, fraternity, and integrations for indigenous self-dignity and identity creation, and collectively convoke a sense of commonality reinforcing social, economic, and cultural ties, and mutually sustaining orientations for enhanced peace-building initiatives, conflict management, and resolution, and a panacea for national cohesion and development within the African space.