Domestic Slavery, Identity Crisis and Peace Building in Igbo Land: The Case of Atani Community in Anambra Sate, Nigeria

Abstract

An enduring legacy of the Trans Atlantic slave trade in Atani and most other communities along the banks of the River Niger in Igbo land was the institution of domestic slavery which is presently a defining feature of these communities. Principally nurtured by different forms of discrimination, the institution of domestic slavery has created a sort of identity crisis in these communities. The profound socio-cultural and political impact of the identity crisis has manifested in a constant struggle for supremacy in the sharply divided Atani community. This has hindered peace and community development in the community. This paper examines the identity crisis arising from the institution of domestic slavery and its impact on peace and community development in Atani. We adopted post-structural approach as a theoretical model. A combination of the documentary method and interviews was used to generate data for this study. Data collected were analyzed using qualitative descriptive analysis. The paper argues that certain socio-cultural and traditional practices associated with the institution of domestic slavery have continued to undermine peace in Atani. The paper therefore recommended that ending the prevailing ephemeral peace in Atani requires that governments at all levels, community stakeholders and the traditional rulers should discuss and adopt strategies  directed towards abolishing socio-cultural and traditional practices that are detrimental to peace and development in Atani .

Keywords: Domestic Slavery, Identity, Crisis, Peace-Building.

DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/57-01

Publication date:March 31^st 2020