Traditional conflict resolution mechanism for blood feuds in rural community of Mertulemariam district, Northwest Ethiopia: conflict transformation perspectives

Family blood feud is a serious criminal act that has resulted in the loss of many lives in mertulemariam district. Shimglna as a one way of traditional conflict resolution mechanism has played a vital role in reconciling feuding parties. However, their role in terms of transforming the blood feuds has not been adequately studied so far. This study is conducted to fill the existing gap. To meet the research objectives, the study has employed qualitative approach with exploratory case study design. In mertulemariam district, Shimglna commonly resolves family blood feud which are caused by conflicts that are related to resources, musho/mourning ceremony, intoxication and insult. There are two phases of blood feud reconciliation process in mertulemariam district. The first phase is carried out before the offender discharged from prison to prevent counter revenges from the victim’s family side. The second phase is conducted after the offender has been released from prison to dry revitalization of family blood feud between clashing families. The finding of this study revealed that, despite finding temporary solution for the feuding family, Shimglna failed to transform blood feud, permanently address the root causes of blood feud and maintain sustainable peace.