DRAMA AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN NIGERIA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE
Declaration – – – – – – ii
Certification – – – – — – iii
Dedication – – – – — – iv
Acknowledgements – – – – v
Abstract – – — – – – vii
Table of Contents – – – – – viii
List of Appendices – – – – – ix
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study – – — – – 1
1.2 Statement of the Research Problem – – – – 8
1.3 Objectives of the study – – – – – 8
1.4 Research Questions – – – – – – 9
1.5 Significance of the study – – – – – 9
1.6 Scope of the Study – – – – – – 10
1.7 Limitation of the study – – – — – 10
1.8 Definition of Terms – – – – – – 10
CHAPTER TWO: THE REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Drama – An Overview – – – – – 11
2.2 Drama and the Society – – – – – 15
2.3 Drama and the Issue of Conflict Resolution – – – 20
2.4 Theoretical Frame Work – – – – – 23
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design – – – – – – 26
3.2 Study Area – – – – – – – 26
3.3 Instrument of Data Collection – – – – 27
3.4 Method of Data Analysis – – – – – 27
3.5 Validity of Instrument — – – – – – 28
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS
AND EVALUATION
4.1 Synopsis – – – – – – – 29
4.2 The Author – – — – – – – 30
4.3 Reason for Choosing the Play – – – – – 31
4.4.1 Genre – – – – – – – – 32
4.4.2 Plot – – – – – – – 33
4.4.3 Locale – – – – – – – – 34
4.4.4 Characters – – – – – – – 34
4.4.5 Period – – – – – – – – 38
4.4.6 Themes – – – – – – – 38
4.4.7 Diction – – – – – – – – 40
4.4.8 Spectacle – – – – – – – 40
4.4.9 Structure – – – – – – – 40
4.5 Analysis and Evaluation of Woman of Calabar – – 40
4.5.1 Analysis of Major Characters – – – – – 40
4.5.2 Analysis of the Conflict – – – – – 42
4.5.3 Analysis of the Dialogue – – – – – 47
4.5.4 Analysis of the Religious Environment – – – 48
4.5.5 Analysis of the Economic Environment – – – 48
4.5.6 Analysis of the Geographical Environment – – – 49
4.5.7 Analysis of the Social Environment – – – 49
4.6 Evaluating Elechi Amadi’s Approach to Solving the
Crisis in the Play: Woman of Calabar – – – 49
CHAPTER FIVE – SUMMARY, CONCLUSION
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary – – – – – – – 51
5.2 Conclusion – – – – – – – 52
5.3 Recommendations – – – – – – 54
References
Appendices
ABSTRACT
This study examines drama as an instrument for conflict resolution in Nigeria in Elechi Amadi’s Woman of Calabar. All across the world, especially within the African continent, conflicts caused by either man or nature are evident. Almost all countries in Africa have stories of one conflict or the other engraved in its history. Nigeria has been witnessing its own conflicts which cut across the length and breadth of the country.
From the North to the South, from the East to the West conflicts of different magnitudes: ethnic, religious, political, economic, communal among others have ravaged the country’s unity, peace and development.
However, one major conflict that has become a recurrent decimal and so prominent within the Nigerian body polity today is ethnic conflict. This is because Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and developing federation richly endowed with natural, human and material resources; hence contestation for space, recognition, relevance and resources has become the order of the day.
Again, the return to democratic rule after a very long period of military rule as well as the proliferation of militia groups jostling for space and recognition in the country’s polity seemed to have opened the floodgates of ethnic conflicts. With the democratic opening, the space now exists for these pent-up feelings to come to the fore, often leading to clashes amongst the various ethnic groups inhabiting the country.
The methodology used in recording and analyzing the subject matter involves a dual method: the content analysis of the text under study and a library-based research work on sources that particularly relates to the subject under study. Findings show that drama can indeed resolve conflict effectively.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Drama which is a dynamic and unitary art, consist of many interlocking elements such as lighting, directing, stage/costume design, scenery, props and other essential materials used by actors before an audience. In order for a performance to be termed theatrical as we understand it today, there are three necessary elements required:
- actors speaking, singing or miming
- an element of conflict conveyed through dialogue, and
- an audience that is emotionally involved in the action but not directly taking part in it (Riu, Xavier, Dionysism and Comedy, 1999:34)
In the absence of these elements, there are other forms of performances that may be termed religious or social ceremony which does not strictly translate into theatrical experience. For example, an order of service for a coronation in which the king is crowned by the high priest or a sermon in the church or mosque, do not constitute a play because they are firmly rooted in reality. The use of dialogue between two or more characters on stage or through the tube, is a subtle means of communication and, or negotiation that can serve as a balm in conflict situations. Aristotle’s postulation that drama is “the imitation of an action that is true to life but not life itself”, scores this point succinctly (Akinyemi, 2007:78).
Drama deals directly with the socio-cultural aspects of a people in any given society. It is characterized by several elements which include shared language that symbolizes and categorizes events; shared way of perceiving and thinking about the world, that is, world view and cosmology; agreed form of non-verbal communication; agreed moral and other values; and a system of religious and other allied beliefs. In this respect, the art of the drama does not only mirror the life of a people but also suggest how to improve it.
The flexible nature of drama as an art form is capable of recreating the past, confirming or criticizing the present and projecting the future. This attribute perhaps explains why Drama has survived all kinds of hardships since its inception in the 5th century B.C. In this respect, Drama can be aptly described as a dynamic and unitary means of entertainment, education, celebration, protest and discovery. These qualities obviously place this art form in a vantage position in terms of conflict prevention and resolution (Akinyemi, 2007:45).
Drama can be a veritable means of resolving most of the conflicts that afflict many Nigerian communities, because it is a dynamic art of literature which functions as a means of entertainment, education, celebration, protest and discovery. It is therefore a powerful agent of social control.
As earlier mentioned drama has always been in the service of man from time immemorial whether presented on stage or through the tube, Drama is a powerful advocate of positive change. Obviously, the dramatist in most cases, assumes the multiple roles of an observer, commentator, judge and jury of his society. It is therefore not surprising that in defense of his role as an artist, Socrates (Chinyere 1998:12) declared himself.
Moreover, conflict is innate in nature; it abounds in every sphere of human endeavour. There is conflict in the family, contractual disputes between people who hitherto had mutual working relationships, disagreement in worship places and in the neighbourhood among others. Similarly, conflict is inherent in every piece of literary work; external and internal conflicts do exist in every literary work.
External conflict takes place between the protagonist and antagonist; it is man versus man or the society. On the other hand, ‘internal or psychological conflict arises when a character experiences two opposite desires; usually virtue or vice… (Fleming, 2011: 145).
Conflict which is an integral part of human existence has three major structural levels: intra-family, intra-community, and inter-community.
Other levels of conflict include individual or personal, societal, ethnic, political, economic, and class dimensions (Onigu and Isaac 2004: ix). Conflict may occur in several forms including physical attacks or verbal aggression. It is, however, an inevitable aspect of life which has the capacity to bring about positive change.
As subtly portrayed by Onigu and Isaac (2004:4), Conflict is a dynamic factor which starts with initiation, escalation, maintenance or monitoring, abatement and then termination or resolution. From the above definition of conflict, it is quite obvious that it is a phenomenon that has the capacity to grow to a destructive state if it is not monitored and abated or maintained.
It is therefore very important to avoid the terminal stage of conflicts by painstakingly following the causes of the conflicts in order to eventually arrive at reconciling the contending individuals or groups concerned. When this happens, the society, individuals or communities concerned, will usually be restored to some degree of orderliness that is capable of sustaining the changes that have emerged.
Whether conflict is viewed as normal or abnormal, it is a recurring decimal in human existence. It features in all kinds of human endeavour: social, economic, and political. It is therefore not surprising that conflict is the very essence of most formal and informal social organizations and processes. The differences that bring about conflict would normally require some adjustment in the differences between two or more people where at least one person or group will concede. Therefore, conflicts are often endemic in industrial organizations, factories and bureaucratic set-ups.
Man’s response to conflicting situations constitute the most important step in solving such occurrences which can be a veritable tool for promoting growth and development, if properly handled through efficient procedures.
Conflicts, whether international, national or community-based, have become regular and increasing features of the socio-political set-up of the communities or countries involved. The rise and rise of conflicting situations in the human community is as a result of several factors derivable from the social, political, religious, ethnic and class differences of the citizenry.
Conflicts arise where there are multiple interests, goals and aspirations by individuals or groups in an identifiable physical environment and social set-up. They thrive where there are changes in the socio-political arrangement which gives rise to competition for political positions.
As Coser (1956:8) correctly puts it, conflict can be regarded as:
…a struggle over values or claims to status, power and scarce resources, in which the aims of the conflicting parties are not only to gain the desired values, but also to neutralize, injure, or eliminate their rivals. Such conflicts may take place between individuals, between collectivities, or between individuals and collectivities. Inter-group as well as intra-group conflicts are perennial features of social life (Coser, 1956:8).
As Deutsch (1973:156) correctly observes, although conflict generally exist “whenever incompatible activities occur” and may result in a “win-lose” situation, the resolution, transformation, and management of conflicts may produce a “win-win” situation.
African play Wright uses their literary works to portray how conflicts can be resolve using their drama like the case of Elechi Amadi’s Woman of Calabar. On the other hand, the study shall examine more on the concept of drama as an instrument for conflict resolution in Nigeria using Elechi Amadi’s Woman of Calabar as a case study.
1.2 Statement of the Research Problem
The West African writer, Elechi Amadi has received attention from many researchers and critics alike. However, this scholar has not analyzed the crucial issue (conflict resolution) that is central to a study of Elechi Amadi. Moreover, the author in question demonstrates concern for the Female gender and gender-related issues.
Nevertheless, Elechi Amadi is more passionate about the plight of the female gender among the Efik nation writers as exemplified in her writings and this has not received any critical attention either. Therefore, the conflict between Africa’s past and present; between the indigenous and the foreign. Also, between tradition and modernity is a dominant motif in research and critical works.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The main objective of this research work is to portray drama as an instrument for conflict resolution in Nigeria using Elechi Amadi’s Woman of Calabar. Specifically, the study intends to:
(i) examine drama as an instrument for conflict resolution in Nigeria;
(ii) examine the conflict situation in Elechi Amadi’s Woman of Calabar; and
(iii) to examine the effectiveness of drama as an instrument for conflict resolution.
1.4 Research Questions
(i) Can Drama be used as an instrument for conflict resolution in Nigeria?
(ii) What is the conflict situation in Elechi Amadi’s Woman of Calabar?
(iii) How effective is drama as an instrument of conflict resolution in Nigeria?
1.5 Significance of the Study
This research promotes healthy cultures and denounces the ones that are inimical to progress. The study explores the modern lifestyles that Africans should embrace and also suggests those cultures that ought to be modified or adapted for the present time.
Moreover, the work promotes the image of the female gender since the writers reflect the womenfolk with much more complexity.
The study will also be of significant to the Nigerian government to look into this problem of conflict and ways of resolving them in the Nigerian society.
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