Paper long abstract:

The paper outlines possible engagement of anthropology in the daunting task of post-war peace and reconciliation. Using material from Darfur and drawing on other cultures with similar experiences, the paper agues that imaginative use of traditional Institutions can provide a solid base for peaceful co-existence in post-conflict societies. In particular, the paper debates Darfur’s institution of Judia (Traditional Mediation Council) and explores options of its transformation for the purpose of use in dealing with crimes committed during the conflict. The paper provides a scope for raising theoretical issues relevant to the study of warfare and violence, peace and reconciliation, traditional legal systems, human rights and international laws.