Reclaiming the indigenous and Re-envisioning Conflict Resolution Institutions; Dare adoption and adaptation in Zimbabwe
Institutional Affiliation
Nova Southeastern University
Start Date
2-11-2023 10:45 AM
End Date
2-11-2023 12:15 PM
Proposal Type
Presentation
Proposal Format
On-campus
Proposal Description
The political and economic manifestations of colonization in Southern Africa were obvious and unmistakable while the social impacts were more insidious and longer term. The colonial project marginalized, eroded and sought to erase indigenous processes through denigration of the values, beliefs and practices of the colonized simultaneously with the superimposition of European ways. But the values have proven resilient, re-emerging as part of the foundation for hybrid forms of social organization in the contemporary African world in tandem with greater awareness and assertion of particular identities and values by people in their localities. An example is the reclaiming of the Dare concept and practice in Zimbabwe and its reimagination as a space for peacebuilding. Dare is a Shona institution that denotes a gathering together of community to share ideas, to explore and resolve issues including conflicts, and to seek wisdom on how to proceed on any aspect of the social life. In true form, dare was not a place but rather a space for discursive engagement. Through case study analysis, this presentation seeks to explore the dare in its place as a manifestation of the reclamation and adaptation of indigenous forms of peacemaking and peacebuilding, and how the field of conflict resolution can better understand and capitalize on such processes of decolonization of knowledge and practice.
Reclaiming the indigenous and Re-envisioning Conflict Resolution Institutions; Dare adoption and adaptation in Zimbabwe
The political and economic manifestations of colonization in Southern Africa were obvious and unmistakable while the social impacts were more insidious and longer term. The colonial project marginalized, eroded and sought to erase indigenous processes through denigration of the values, beliefs and practices of the colonized simultaneously with the superimposition of European ways. But the values have proven resilient, re-emerging as part of the foundation for hybrid forms of social organization in the contemporary African world in tandem with greater awareness and assertion of particular identities and values by people in their localities. An example is the reclaiming of the Dare concept and practice in Zimbabwe and its reimagination as a space for peacebuilding. Dare is a Shona institution that denotes a gathering together of community to share ideas, to explore and resolve issues including conflicts, and to seek wisdom on how to proceed on any aspect of the social life. In true form, dare was not a place but rather a space for discursive engagement. Through case study analysis, this presentation seeks to explore the dare in its place as a manifestation of the reclamation and adaptation of indigenous forms of peacemaking and peacebuilding, and how the field of conflict resolution can better understand and capitalize on such processes of decolonization of knowledge and practice.