Assessment of the Role of Traditional Leaders in Peacebuilding and Conflict Management among the Tangale-Waja People of Gombe State, Nigeria

Tangale-Waja people are located in Gombe state, northeastern Nigeria. The Tanagale-Waja speak languages belonging to the Niger-Congo family and have rich cultural traditions, they are largely farmers, Christians and Muslims are the two great religious worshiper with few traditional worshiper. The main driving force of this research was to explore the roles played by traditional leaders and the council of elders in conflict management and peacemaking among the Tangale-Waja people of Balanga, Billiri and Kaltungo Local Government Areas in Gombe state. The study examined the uses of negotiation, mediation, arbitration and reconciliation as peacemaking processes utilized by traditional leaders to managing conflict in their communities. The study used the qualitative research design in its quest to get answers to the raised questions. The theoretical framework for this study was the social cohesion and conflict transformation theory. It was also established that although colonialization and modernization undermined the powers and authorities of traditional leaders, the institution of chieftaincy has remained relevant to peacemaking and managing conflicts in rural communities. The study recommended that traditional leaders need to be acquainted with knowledge of the different crime management strategies and also be leaders worthy of calling in words and actions.