The role of Acoli proverbs and folktales in conflict resolution among the Acoli in northern Uganda

Abstract

The study examines the role of Acoli folktales and proverbs in conflict resolution among the Acoli of northern Uganda.The general objective of the study was to analyze the role of Acoli folktales and proverbs in conflict resolution. This was achieved through a content analysis of sampled Acoli proverbs and folktales randomly selected with particular reference to the themes of greed, deception, laziness, pride, disobedient, theft and betrayal. In Chapter One the researcher highlights the nature of the study, the historical background of the Acoli society, the nature and performance of Acoli folktales, problem statement, and the scope of the study. Layout the objectives and research questions. Review of some Literature related to the objectives of the study and analysed the general functions of folktales. In addition, the methodology employed is also presented. Chapter Two focuses on the discussion of the role of folktales and proverbs at interpersonal level.while Chapter Three examines the role of Acoli folktales and proverbs at domestic level. In the Forth Chapter, the discussion focuses on the role of proverbs and folktales in conflict resolution at community/ national level. The last Chapter of the dissertation summarises the salient findings of the studies in the preceeding chapters. The findings indicates that among the Acoli, most families and communities used proverbs for passing moral values such as instilling discipline, reconciliation, entertainment, enhancing spirit of love and matual understanding, corrective purpose,encouragement, precautionary purposes and future reference of a particular tradition. Like every other traditional society, the traditional Acoli community has maintained solidarity of the group, and the unconscious acceptance of traditional codes expressed and encoded in their proverbs and folktales to ascertain peaceful living in the family and the community. The study revealed that proverbs and folktales are indeed vital in relationship management. It avers that a community with good understanding of folktales and proverbs and their implications in conflict resolution would appreciate conflicts as an intricate part of existence and harmonious living and would therefore avoid actions and in actions that would promote violence.