Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The Virtue and Limits of Gereb as an Aboriginal Conflict Reconciliation Device Among the Wejerat People: the Case of Hintalo-Wejerat Wereda Southeastern Tigray

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Society Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The study scrutinizes the virtue and limits of the Gereb aboriginal conflict reconciliation device among Wejerat people of Hintalo-Wejerat, Southeastern Tigray, with particular emphasis on the virtue of Gereb institution. The functions that Tegaru’s aboriginal religious institution serve other than the religious purpose have rarely been treated in Ethiopia in general and Tigray literature in particular. Thus, this research aims to fill this gap by examining the virtue of Gereb institutions in conflict reconciliation and the formal institution in the area. To realize the intended objectives, the study employed a qualitative approach. Important data for the study were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data were collected using instruments such as a semi-structured in-depth interview, observation, focus group discussion, and case study. The data collected from both sources were organized thematically and analyzed qualitatively. The findings of the study reveal that economic and social-cultural factors are the major causes of conflict. Land-related conflicts, such as conflict over land “ownership” rights, claiming tracts of adjacent farmland, grazing land, and inheritance, are the main causes of conflict related to economic interests. In this regard, the Gereb/Abo Gereb aboriginal conflict reconciliation device has been explored as a viable psycho-social method of conflict resolution, justice administration, and peace-building; and its key outcomes in interrelated psycho-social areas have been identified and highlighted. The study demonstrates that diverse cases of civil and criminal matters in the study area are resolved according to the long-lived customary and religious laws.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. “Gereb literally means “river” in the land of Wejerat. It is an indigenous institution that comprises abo-Gerebs (collection of elders) committed to the overall societal issues as local court of administration” Abrha (2016)

    A way of social, economic, and cultural judgement equally if the disputes have already happened.

  2. Elder of reconciliation or community, singular form

  3. Equivalent with district

  4. Originally, “I” (the author) is part of the society or Wejerat communities, so I am an insider author not outsider to the community.

  5. Set of individual Abo Gerebs, for example, (1) Ato Temannew (from Adiqeyih), Ato Syoum Mekonen (from Zgadele), Ato Silase Redai (from Beri), Ato Gesha G/meskel (From Onna), Ato Abrha Hiluf (From Mamiet), W/ro Tiblets Abrha (from Beri), and W/ro Letay Hagos (Mamiet).

  6. Chronologically, if literatures tell that the system of Gereb existed prior sixteenth century, and then it can be embodied in modern legal system. Besides, Gereb has its own standards of justice and ways of arguing by the concerned bodies in front of the Abo Gerebs.

  7. Twenty villages

  8. The lowest administrative unit in Ethiopia

  9. Ato Temannew (from Adiqeyih), Ato Syoum Mekonen (from Zgadele), Ato Silase Redai (from Beri), Ato Gesha G/meskel (From Onna), Ato Abrha Hiluf (From Mamiet), W/ro Tiblets Abrha (from Beri), and W/ro Letay Hagos (Mamiet).

  10. The smallest or last administration structure in Tigray National Regional State

  11. A man from Wejerat

  12. Wejerat communities, plural form

References

  • Abera, H. (2009). Rangeland Based Conflicts Between Pastoral and Agricultural Groups in North East Ethiopia: Implications for Rangeland Management and Livestock Herding.. M.A Thesis in livestock production and pastoral Development, Mekelle University, Mekelle.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abrha, T. (2011). Dynamics of Inter-Communal Conflict in North- East Ethiopia: The case of Wejerat people and Their neighboring Afar. M.A Thesis at Peace and Security Studies, Addis Ababa University, Institute for Peace and Security Studies, Addis Ababa.

  • Abrha. T. (2016). Mekonnen, The Value of Indigenous Social Knowledge In Managing Intra And Inter-Group Conflicts: Experience From South East Tigray, Ethiopia. Academic journals.

  • Alula, P. and Getachew Assefa. (2008). Grassroots Justice in Ethiopia: Approaches. Second Edition. New Delhi: SAGE Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Assefa, Abebe. (2001). Indigenous Mechanisms for the Prevention and Resolution of Conflict. The Ethiopia Chapter of OSSREA, May 11-12, 2001. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

  • Bernard, H. Russell. (1994). Research Methods in Anthropology: Qualitative and Quantitative. Bloor, Michael and Fiona, Wood.

    Google Scholar 

  • Best, S.G. (2004). The Methods of Conflict Resolution and Transformation. In Best, S.G. (Ed.). Introduction to Peace and conflict studies in West Africa (pp.93-115) (PP. 93-115. Ibadan: spectrum Books ltd.

  • Boulle L. (1996). Mediation: Principles, Process, Practice. Journal of Conflict Resolution. 6 (7) 89-115

    Google Scholar 

  • Chandan, J.S. (1995). Management: theory and practice. New Delhi: VBIKS publishing House Pvt. Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Degafi, G. (2001). Bahilin Tarikin Hizbi Wejerat (Tigrigna Version). Mekelle: Zemenawi Hitmet.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dejene, Gemechu. (2002). Some Aspects of Conflict and Conflict Resolution among Waliso Tigray of Eastern Macha with Particular Emphasis on the Guma. MA Thesis in Social Anthropology. Addis Ababa University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dejene, Gemechu. (2007). Conflict And Conflict Resolution Among Waliso Tigray Of Eastern Macha: The case of Guma.. Addis Ababa: Addis Ababa University press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Etefa, Tsega. (2002). Conflict Resolution through Cultural Tolerance: An Analysis of the Michu Institution in Metekkel Region, Ethiopia. Addis Ababa, Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa

  • Fesseha, Berhe. (1991). Studies on the Biography of Blata Hayle Maryam Redda (1909-1995).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gowok S, M. (2008). Alternative Dispute Resolution in Ethiopia- A Legal Framework. African Research Review.

  • Harty and Modell (n.d.). The Cessation of World War II the Alleged Perpetrators of The Interstate.

  • Jeong, HW (2000) . Peace and Conflict Studies: An Introduction. England: Ashgate publishing Limited.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis. (1988). Values and Procedures in Conflict Resolution among Shoan Tigray. Addis Ababa, institute of Ethiopian Studies. PP: 673- 678.

  • Mohammed, Mussa, Habtamu Teka and Ahmed Aliye. (2017). Indigenous Conflict Management and Resolution Mechanisms in Rangelands In Pastoral Areas, Ethiopia. Journal of African Studies and Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ojo, Bamidele, Zartman, I. (2000). Traditional Cures for Modern Conflicts: African Conflict “Medicine”. African Studies Review.

  • Niklas L.P. Swanström, Mikael S. Weissmann. (2005). Conflict, Conflict Prevention, Conflict Management and Beyond: A Conceptual Exploration. Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program

  • Peter Wallensteen & Frida Möller (n.d.) Conflict Prevention: Methodology for Knowing the Unknown. Uppsala University, Sweden

  • Webel, Charles and Johan Galtung. (2007a). Handbook of Peace and Conflict Studies. London and New York: Rutledge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Webel, Charles and Johan Galtung. 2007b. Handbook of Peace and Conflict Studies. London and New York: Rutledge,.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Webel, Charles and Johan Galtung. (2012).Conflict Resolution through Cultural Tolerance. Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa. Addis Ababa University.

Download references

Acknowledgements

I am grateful to all of those with whom I have had the pleasure to work in writing this article.

I thank you!!!

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department for Civics and Ethical Studies, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Raya University, Maichew, Ethiopia

    Kahsu Abrha Belew

Authors
  1. Kahsu Abrha Belew
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kahsu Abrha Belew.

Additional information

I, Kahsu Abrha Belew, declare that this article entitled “The Virtue and Limits of Gereb as an Aboriginal Conflict Reconciliation Device Among the Wejerat People: the Case of Hintalo-Wejerat Wereda Southeastern Tigray” is the result of my work. I have worked on this article independently with the guidance of “Social Sciences.” This article has been submitted to the “Springer Open” with full of my consent.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Belew, K.A. The Virtue and Limits of Gereb as an Aboriginal Conflict Reconciliation Device Among the Wejerat People: the Case of Hintalo-Wejerat Wereda Southeastern Tigray. Soc 58, 290–300 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12115-021-00589-5

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12115-021-00589-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation