Abstract:
Conflict over land resource is one of the serious social problems among the agrarian
communities of Ethiopia. In order to handle bad consequences of land related conflicts the
rural society relies on different mechanisms of conflict resolution. One method of conflict
resolution that plays significant role among the rural society is the customary mechanism of
conflict resolution. Taking the customary mechanisms of conflict resolution as one of the most
important tools that maintain peace and order in the rural society, this research has been
under taken in West Hararghe Zone,Odaa Bultum Districts, with the objective of studying the
role of community elders in resolving land related conflicts. Methodologically, data were
collected from both primary and secondary sources through purposive (non-probability)
sampling technique. Overall, this study pursued an interpretive qualitative field work
approach and interview, focus group discussion and observation methods of data collection
were used. The result of the study revealed that the elders of the community plays significant
roles in resolving land related conflicts through customary mechanism of conflict resolution
practices locally called „Diyaa‟ and „shaffee. The study especially focuses onthe „diyaa‟ and
„shaffee practice of conflict resolution through community elders are significant not only in
conflict resolution but also in averting the consequence of post conflict trauma and in
restoring the broken social bonds. Therefore, the researcher recommends that much effort is
needed from all local community and government bodies in order to bring sustained peace in
the area by building the capacity of customary institutions such as Jaarsummaa (the council of
elders).
