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Article . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Article . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Indigenous Peacebuilding: Bridging the Gap to Sustainable Peace in Zambia and Beyond

Authors: Mutabaruka, Clautrida;

Indigenous Peacebuilding: Bridging the Gap to Sustainable Peace in Zambia and Beyond

Abstract

Peace and justice are foundational pillars of human dignity, social stability, and sustainable development. However, existing justice systems are increasingly struggling to address the underlying causes of conflict. Rising youth unrest, social fragmentation, and large-scale displacement suggest that legal institutions alone are inadequate for building lasting peace. Indigenous peacebuilding systems—rooted in community participation, restorative dialogue, and shared cultural norms—have historically provided means for preventing disputes and maintaining peace. These systems operate not primarily through punishment but through mediation, reconciliation, and collective accountability. Across Africa, such indigenous peacebuilding systems include councils of elders, community assemblies, and symbolic reconciliation rituals that aim to repair relationships rather than merely adjudicate wrongdoing. In Zambia, examples include the Bemba Icibwela, the Ngoni Inkhosi council, the Lozi Kuta, and the Tonga Bukata assemblies. Although these institutions continue to operate in many communities, they remain largely absent from national policy frameworks and academic documentation. This paper argues that indigenous peacebuilding traditions represent a valuable yet underutilised resource for addressing 21st-century social challenges in Zambia and beyond. By examining how these systems function and how they have contributed to conflict prevention, the essay highlights their potential role in strengthening modern justice systems and promoting sustainable peace.

Keywords

Indigenous peacebuilding, Peace education, Refugee displacement, Justice systems, Conflict transformation

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
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