Conceptualizing the Idoma Alekwu Tradition as an African Philosophy of Peace

Öz

The African philosophy of peace and human coexistence is a single piece of thread that weaves the fabric called Africa despite the continent’s multi-ethnic composition. The culture of shared goodness, communal justice and collective prosperity is present in the lived reality of the African people, no matter where they are located on the map. The larger portion of Southern Africa refers to this phenomenon as the concept of Ubuntu, but it is a fact that every true African society has always practised this brotherliness, albeit under different conceptualizations. The Alekwu traditional system of the Idoma people of North Central Nigeria is one such system. This article intends to project Alekwu, an often-misinterpreted moral code of conduct, as an elaborate way of life that sets out to uphold the good of all within the typical Idoma community. This paper presents a detailed review of existing scholarly works to conceptualise the richness of Alekwu as an African philosophy of peace within the framework of the African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKS). First, the historical background to the Alekwu Traditional System was presented, followed by a discussion on the African philosophy of peace. Next is a detailed examination of the Alekwu system. Afterward, there is a justification of Alekwu as a philosophy of peace for Africa. The implications of this conceptualisation for AIKS were considered with a call for further scholarship on reshaping African identities through coloniality, popularising hybrid and evolving identities rooted in African contexts.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKS)
• Alekwu
• Idoma
• African Philosophy
• Peace
• Ubuntu
• Teraanga

İdoma Alekwu Geleneğinin Afrika Barış Felsefesi Olarak Kavramsallaştırılması

Öz

Afrika’nın barış ve insan birlikte yaşama felsefesi, kıtanın çok etnikli yapısına rağmen “Afrika” denilen kumaşı dokuyan tek bir iplik parçası olarak değerlendirilebilir. Paylaşılan iyilik, topluluk temelli adalet ve kolektif refah kültürü, harita üzerinde nerede yer alırlarsa alsınlar Afrika halklarının yaşanmış gerçekliğinde mevcuttur. Güney Afrika’nın büyük bir bölümünde bu olgu Ubuntu kavramı ile ifade edilmektedir; ancak her gerçek Afrika toplumunun, farklı kavramsallaştırmalar altında da olsa, bu kardeşlik biçimini her zaman pratiğe döktüğü bir gerçektir. Nijerya’nın kuzey-orta bölgesinde yaşayan Idoma halkının Alekwu geleneksel sistemi de bu örneklerden biridir. Bu makale, sıklıkla yanlış yorumlanan bir ahlaki davranış kodu olan Alekwu’yu, tipik Idoma toplumu içinde herkesin iyiliğini gözetmeyi amaçlayan kapsamlı bir yaşam biçimi olarak görünür kılmayı amaçlamaktadır. Çalışmada, Afrika Yerli Bilgi Sistemleri (African Indigenous Knowledge Systems, AIKS) çerçevesinde Alekwu’nun zenginliğini bir Afrika barış felsefesi olarak kavramsallaştırmak üzere mevcut akademik çalışmaların ayrıntılı bir incelemesi sunulmaktadır. İlk olarak Alekwu Geleneksel Sistemi’ne ilişkin tarihsel arka plan ortaya konulmakta, ardından Afrika barış felsefesi üzerine bir tartışma yürütülmektedir. Bunu Alekwu sisteminin ayrıntılı bir çözümlemesi izlemektedir. Daha sonra Alekwu’nun Afrika için bir barış felsefesi olarak temellendirilmesine yer verilmektedir. Son aşamada ise bu kavramsallaştırmanın AIKS açısından anlam ve sonuçları ele alınmakta; sömürgeden arındırma (dekolonyalite) yoluyla Afrika kimliklerinin yeniden biçimlendirilmesi, Afrika bağlamlarına köklenen melez ve dönüşen kimliklerin yaygınlaştırılması üzerine yapılacak yeni akademik çalışmalara çağrı yapılmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Dijital gerçeklik denetimi
• Dezenformasyon
• Çevrimiçi haber
• Çevrimiçi gazetecilik
• Medya
• Teknoloji

Kaynakça

1. Abah, A. J., Lamidi, S. G., & Gbaaikyo, L. M. (2020). Language and Cultural Vitality: An Examination of ‘Alekwu’ in Crime Control Among the Orokam People of Benue State Ogbazuluobodo: University of Nigeria Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 1(2), 63-75. google scholar
2. Ba, J. (2018). Mathematics in the cultural practices of the Orokam people of Nigeria: Insights into the educational relevance of the i'tche game. International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, 4(6), 164-171. google scholar
3. Bah, H. (2016, March 20). Idomaland: Where the Gods Still Impose Penalties. Daily Trust. https://dailytrust.com/idomaland-where-the-gods-still-impose-penalties/ google scholar
4. Abah, I., & Okoye-Ugwu, S. (2019). The cultural dynamics of power and patriarchy: A study of Idoma-Alekwu oral epic. IKENGA International Journal of Institute of African Studies, 20(1), 173-180. google scholar
5. Africa 101 Last Tribes (2025). Idoma. https://www.101lasttribes.com/tribes/idoma.html google scholar
6. Ajayi, A. T. and Buhari, L. O. (2014). Methods of conflict resolution in African traditional society. African Research Review, 8(2), 138-157. google scholar
7. Akampurira, A. (2023). African Pre-colonial Accomplishments in Political, Social and Economic Well-Being. Well-Being in African Philosophy, 213. google scholar
8. Flachi, O. V. and Tyokyaa, G. (2012). The Alekwu festival among the Idoma of central Nigeria: Implication for curriculum planners in the Nigerian educational system. Journal of Theatre Film and Communication Arts, 1(1), 210-218. google scholar

9. Islam, O. S. (2018). Unmasking “Leku” Religious Experience among the Idoma People-Group of Nigeria. GNOSI: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Human Theory and Praxis, 1(2), 118-130. google scholar
10. Ellen, A. O. (2022). Matters arising from the Abuja court ruling on the Idoma “Leku” culture. Retrieved on 19th November, 2024 from https://intervention.ng/25816/ google scholar
11. Male, I. O. (1997). Leku Poetry as a Source of Historical Reconstruction: The Pursuit of Idoma-Otukpo Origin, Genealogy and Migration. Ufahamu: A Journal of African Studies, 25(3), 17-49. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4v83483q google scholar
12. Amoah, R. O., & Peprah, A. K. (2022). The Foundation and Nature of Traditional African Morality: A Review of Selected Literature. E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (EHASS), 3(7), 279-285. google scholar
13. Uniloba, E. C., & Johnson, E. M. (2021). The effect of Christianity on the tradition and culture of the Idoma people of Nigeria: A comparative study. HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, 77(4), a7111. doi:10.4102/hts.v77i4.7111 google scholar
14. Anowia, W. E., Ejim, E. S., & Anozie, O. O. (2020). African Traditional Religion and Crime Control in Igbo Traditional Society: Challenges in 21st Century Nigeria Sukkah Journal of the Humanities, 28(1), 11-25. google scholar
15. Nebe, T. (2015). Reincarnation in ritual display: A discourse of the Alekwu mythopoeia in Idoma traditional dramaturgy. International Journal of Social Science and Humanity, 5(6), 578. google scholar
16. Appiah-Thompson, C. (2020). The concept of peace, conflict and conflict transformation in African religious philosophy. Journal of Peace Education, 17(2), 161-185. google scholar
17. Archibong, E. I., & Obah, R. A. (2021). The logic of peace in the traditional African worldview: A critical analysis. Philosophy and Praxis, 11(1). google scholar
18. Khudree, R. B. (1999). Traditions of conflict resolution in South Africa. African Journal on Conflict Resolution, 1(1), 9-27. google scholar
19. Chukwuokolo, J. C. (2023). Social Ethics and Human Well-Being in Igbo Society. Well-Being in African Philosophy, 111. google scholar
20. Coleman, C. (2020, November 17). Teraanga: The word that defines Senegal. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20201115-teraanga-the-word-that-defines-senegal google scholar
21. Dale, P. (2025). An ancient writing system confounding myths about Africa. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ye50xgw8vo google scholar
22. Daniel, R. O. (2023). Dynamics of African Traditional and Cultural Practice as a Social Control Mechanism: A deterrent theoretical analysis on the alek belief system among the Idoma People in Nigeria Kari International Studies Journal, 7(3), 141-151. google scholar
23. Ekhator, E. O., & Richards, N. U. (2024). The continuing relevance of customary arbitration in Nigeria: Critical evaluation of contemporary developments. African Journal of International and Comparative Law, 32(2), 165-184. google scholar
24. Meso, C. C. (2025). Exploring African worldview as a philosophy: A critical reflection on the features, values, and impacts on the contemporary African philosophy. Nnadiebube Journal of Philosophy, 8(2). google scholar
25. Gabagambi, J. J. (2018). A comparative analysis of restorative justice practices in Africa. Hauser Global Law School Programme. google scholar
26. Gateway Africa (2025). Dom Tribe: Tribal People of Africa. https://www.gateway-africa.com/tribe/idoma_tribe.html google scholar
27. Hertz, A. W. (2015). Religious belief, evolution of. International encyclopaedia of the social & behavioural sciences, 20, 384-395. google scholar
28. Ayeaye, K. (2025). African Ethics. In Edward N. Alta & Uri Nodelman (eds.) The Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy (Summer 2025 Edition), https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2025/entries/african-ethics/ google scholar
29. I Am Benue (2025). Dom People Of Benue State. https://www.iambenue.com/benue-state/ethnic-composition/idoma-people-of-benue-state/ google scholar
30. Doko, F. J. (2024). Appraising the feminist consciousness in the Alekwu mythology. https://www.academia.edu/126253767/Appraising_ the_feminist_consciousness_in_the_Alekwu_mythology google scholar
31. Ihuah, A. S., & Nor, Z. M. (2022). African traditional religion and African philosophy. In The Palgrave handbook of African traditional religion (pp. 289-301). Cham: Springer International Publishing. google scholar
32. Japan, J. A. (2013). Folk religion in discourse and practice. Journal of Ethnology and Folkloristics, 7(1), 3-18. google scholar
33. Ariki, D. F. (2015). Conflict resolution by elders in Africa: Successes, challenges and opportunities. Challenges and Opportunities (July 9, 2015). https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Delivery.cfm?abstractid=3646985 google scholar
34. Asir, S. L. (1985). Art in history, history in art: the Idoma ancestral masquerade as historical evidence. Working Paper No. 103. African Studies Centre. Boston University https://hdl.handle.net/2144/41058 google scholar
35. Kitautse, R. H., Odugbo, A. P., & Ahman, A. O. (2022). A critical examination of oche ola mu—the concept of the human person from an Idoma perspective. International Journal of Social Science & Humanities Research, 5(5), 92-98. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo. 6777583 google scholar
36. Lee, S. (2025, May 28). Exploring Peace in African Philosophy: A Comprehensive Guide to Peace Studies in African Thought Number Analytics. https://www.numberanalytics.com/blog/peace-studies-in-african-philosophy google scholar
37. Makhurane, F., & Magano, M. D. (2022). The use of Ubuntu in promoting the wellness of juvenile offenders in South African correctional schools. Indilinga African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems 21(2): 170-187. google scholar
38. Maluleke, M. J. (2012). Culture, tradition, custom, law and gender equality. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal/Potchefstroomse Elektroniese Regsblad, 15(1). 4.2 google scholar
39. Mathe, S. M. G. (2022). Critical analysis of issues that depict gender inequality and conflict between human rights and culture in Isiko Nelungelo and Intando Kamufi (Master's thesis, University of Pretoria (South Africa)). google scholar
40. Maurya, S. K. (2025). Restorative Justice and Karmic Justice: Ubuntu and Vedanta in Dialogue. African Journal of Religion, Philosophy and Culture, 6(2), 23-39. google scholar
41. Metz, T. (2010). Human dignity, capital punishment, and an African moral theory: Towards a new philosophy of human rights. Journal of Human Rights, 9(1), 81-99. google scholar
42. Mills, I. (2011). Sutura: Gendered Honour, Social Death, and the Politics of Exposure in Senegalese Literature and Popular Culture A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in African American Studies in the Graduate Division of the University of California, Berkeley. google scholar
43. Chize, V. B. (2025). African ancestors and the Amadlozi. Vibrant Culture. https://www.southafrica.net/gl/en/travel/article/african-ancestors-and-amadlozi google scholar
44. Zosima, P. (2023). Being-in-community as the basis of well-being in African philosophy. Well-Being in African Philosophy, 67. 4.2 [JP] google scholar
45. Moumakwa, P. C. (2011). The Botswana Kgotla system: a mechanism for traditional conflict resolution in modern Botswana: case study of the Kanye Kgotla (Master's thesis, Universitetet i Tromsø). google scholar
46. Mudimeli, L. M., & Khosa-Nkatini, H. P. (2024). Cultural dynamics of gender-based violence and pastoral care in South Africa. HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, 80(2), 9353. google scholar
47. Nel, P. J. (2008). Morality and religion in African thought. Acta Theologica, 28(2), 33-47. google scholar
48. Ngueutsa, R., Tchagneno, C. L., Wassouo, E., & Kouabenan, D. R. (2023). Fatalistic Beliefs, Cultural Beliefs and Socio-Instrumental Control Beliefs: What are the Links? Can We Speak of an Active Fatalism? Psychological Reports, 127(6), 3109-3132. doi: 10.1177/00332941231153799 google scholar
49. Ama, C. L. (2022). African Traditional Religious Practices as Social Regulatory Mechanism: The Clo Ubu’Example in Amasiri, Nigeria. Journal of Religion in Africa, 51(3-4), 263-282. google scholar
50. Obi-Ani, N. A. (2025). Dish i and alek cultural beliefs and gender inequality among communities in Nigeria. African Identities, 1-18. google scholar
51. Ogli, G. E., & Okpeh, P. O. (2022). In the Language of the Gods: An Exploration of the Ancestral Spirit Manifest (Masquerade) Chant among the Idoma in Nigeria. Delos: A Journal of Translation and World Literature, 37(1), 27-44. google scholar
52. Okyere-manu, B. (2020). The belief in and veneration of ancestors in Akan traditional thought: Finding values for human wellbeing. Alternation-Interdisciplinary Journal for the Study of the Arts and Humanities in Southern Africa. google scholar
53. Mono, G. (2024, September 30). Justice from the Beyond: The Alekwu Tradition of the Idoma Tribe Ririe. https://www.oriire.com/article/ justice-from-the-beyond-the-alekwu-tradition-of-the-idoma-tribe google scholar
54. Onebunne, J. I. (2019). African philosophy of peace education for development in Africa. Nnadiebube Journal of Education in Africa (NJEA), 3(2), 1-18. google scholar
55. Swami, B. and Ajayi, J. O. (2013). Traditional values, beliefs and reliance on indigenous resources for crime control in modern southwest Nigeria. African Research Review, 7(1), 73-94. google scholar
56. Riley, E. J. (2021). Sharedness as Belonging: Hospitality, Inclusion, and Equality among the Layene of Senegal. Religion and Society, 12(1), 191-202. google scholar
57. Rutayisire, T. and Richters, A. (2014). Everyday suffering outside prison walls: A legacy of community justice in post-genocide Rwanda. Soc Sci Med 120:413-420. google scholar
58. Reemit (2018). Alekwu: The gods of the Idoma people. https://steemit.com/steemit/@hilltop/alekwu-the-gods-of-the-idoma-people
59. Tamale, S. (2014). Exploring the contours of African sexualities: Religion, law and power. African Human Rights Law Journal, 14(1), 150-177.
60. Thelma, C. C., Prince, B., Sylvester, C., Pedzisai, D. R., & Banda, E. (2025). Decolonising Peace in Africa: Why African Traditions Hold a Key to Sustainable Peace? Asian Research Journal of Arts & Social Sciences, 23(2), 86-97. google scholar
61. Ah, G. O. (2020). Performance Centrism in the Proverbs Employed Within the Context of Idoma Alekwu Chants. Ebonyi Journal of Language and Literary Studies, 3(1-2), 1-12. google scholar
62. Wilson, P. (2024). Sustainability of Eje-Alekwu Festival amongst Idoma People in Benue State. https://www.uni-hildesheim.de/ sustainability/index.php/profile/priscilla-wilson/ google scholar