Authors: Kanayochi Evaristus AKOMA Ph. D
ABSTRACT: This study examined Ọkọnkọ as an indigenous peace architecture and its potential contribution to violence prevention amongst the Ngwa-Igbo of Southeastern Nigeria. Against the background of urbanisation, cultural transformation and the weakening of indigenous institutions, the study explored Ọkọnkọ’s historical peacebuilding functions, contemporary community perceptions and prospects for responsible revitalisation. Guided by Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Restorative Justice theories, the study adopted a qualitative exploratory design. Fieldwork was conducted across four core Ngwa communities between October 2025 and January 2026. Participants were purposively and snowball-sampled and comprised traditional rulers, Ọkọnkọ members, community elders, youth leaders, security personnel and historians. Data were generated through 32 semi-structured in-depth interviews, non-participant observation and historical/documentary analysis. Data were analysed using content thematic analysis, with triangulation across individual narratives, observed practices and historical/documentary evidence. Findings indicate that Ọkọnkọ historically functioned as a multidimensional peace institution through mediation, customary adjudication, moral regulation, communal accountability and non-lethal sanctions. Its authority was rooted in cultural legitimacy and collective norms. Although its contemporary institutional influence has declined, participants perceived selected practices as potentially relevant to violence prevention and restorative community governance. The study contributes to decolonial peacebuilding scholarship by repositioning Ọkọnkọ as an endogenous peace architecture whose critically adapted principles can complement formal justice and security institutions.
Keywords: Ọkọnkọ; indigenous peacebuilding; restorative justice; violence prevention; Ngwaland.