Healing Wounds and Blood Feuds in Exploring Ethiopia the Role of Dem Adraqi Elders in Rural South Wollo Zone of Amhara Regional State

Abstract

The study explained the roles of dem adraqi elders in avoiding and healing past wounds and blood feuds between conflicting parties in rural Amhara regional states of Ethiopia. Unless healing wounds and blood feud conflict is managed properly, it results in social and economic destruction at both family and community level. The main objective of this study was the role of dem adraqi elders in avoiding blood feud in rural Ethiopia. The most common types of conflict resolved by dem adraqi elders are killing, property looting, theft and land based conflicts. Qualitative research approach was followed with focus group discussion and key informant interview as a tool of data collection. The data was collected from 11key informant respondents and 3 focus group discussion (FGD) through purposive sampling techniques. The finding of the study showed that cost of conflict depends on the type of conflict resolution system that individuals used to settle disagreements. In addition, the practical procedure of dem adraqi elder in healing wounds and blood feuds are painstaking since it is important to avoid conflicts between parties for last without any retaliation after reaching agreements through erigiman (cursing the retaliator). In general, the work of dem adraqi elders depends on the interest and will of disputant parties. To minimize the problem of wounds and blood feud conflicts and encourage dem adraqi elders at the local level, government should make some economic support to satisfy their morality.