Intercommunal Relationship – SS2 Civic Education Lesson Note (Third Term)

Inter-communal relationship is the relationship between people from different communal societies, such as villages and hamlets.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define a communal society and state its characteristics.
2. Explain inter-communal relationship.
3. Describe the economic, social and political activities that link communal societies.
4. List the skills that promote inter-communal relationship.
5. Explain the methods of settling disputes in communal societies.
6. State the importance of inter-communal relationship.

What is a communal society?

A communal society is a small society whose people share things in common as brothers and sisters.

• Examples: villages, hamlets and camps.

What are the characteristics of a communal society?

1. Small size: the population of the community is usually small.
2. Homogeneous nature: the people are usually alike in culture, language and way of life.
3. Primary activities: most people engage in activities such as farming.
4. Limited formal education: many of the people have little or no schooling.
5. Dispersed houses: houses are spread out and may be separated by farmlands.
6. Personal relationships: social relationships are personal and intimate.
7. Group solidarity: members feel a strong sense of communal responsibility and loyalty to the group.

What is inter-communal relationship?

Inter-communal relationship is the relationship between people from different communal societies.

• Basis: it rests on economic, social and political activities.
• Settlement of disputes: disagreements between communities are settled by methods such as dialogue, mediation and arbitration.

What are the economic activities in communal societies?

Economic activities are the ways the people work to earn a living and meet their needs.

• Farming: communal societies are mainly agrarian, and a community often produces the same type of crops.
• Communal labour: members work together to clear bush, prepare farmland, plant and harvest.
• Family help: in many parts of Nigeria, men are assisted by their wives to harvest farm produce.
• Specialised occupations: some people work as pot-makers, mat weavers, blacksmiths, hunters or traditional medicine practitioners.

What are the social activities in communal societies?

Social activities are the shared practices that bring people of different communities together.

• Inter-communal marriages: families from different communities are joined by marriage.
• Common worship: people worship at shared ancestral shrines and believe in a god or goddess.
• Community projects: people dig wells and ponds, maintain common markets and clear roads together.
• Result: these activities promote solidarity, oneness and healthy community life.

What are the political activities in communal societies?

Political activities are the ways a community organises its leadership, rules and order.

• Age-grades: people are grouped into age-grades, each with its own roles.
• Selection of leaders: leaders are chosen and are periodically replaced.
• Enforcement of customs: local customs are enforced and erring members are punished.
• Assignment of roles: duties are shared among members of the community.
• Direct democracy: most communal societies let people take part directly in decisions, instead of acting through representatives.

What skills promote inter-communal relationship?

Six skills promote inter-communal relationship: tolerance, respect for human rights, access to justice, inter-communal marriages, sport and good governance.

1. Tolerance: members of the communities accept one another’s differences.
2. Respect for human rights: every person is treated fairly and with dignity.
3. Access to justice: people can seek fair judgement whenever the need arises.
4. Inter-communal marriages: marriage links families and builds trust between communities.
5. Sport activities: competitions bring young people from different communities together.
6. Good governance: leaders rule fairly and in the interest of the people.

How are disputes settled in communal societies?

Disputes in communal societies are settled by dialogue, mediation, compensation, arbitration, the court system and a special peace-keeping task force.

• Disagreement is normal: no human relationship is free from disagreement or misunderstanding.
• Simple resolution: because village life is simple, conflict resolution is usually simple too.
• Serious cases: where serious issues are involved, the court may need to step in.

What are the common causes of conflict in communal societies?

• Land: disputes over ownership and boundaries.
• Inheritance: disagreement over who should receive a deceased person’s property.
• Disobedience to laws: breaking the existing laws and customs of the community.
• Appointments: quarrels over who should hold positions of authority.

What are the methods of settling disputes?

1. Dialogue: the warring parties state their grievances, and the leaders settle the issue using local experience and knowledge.
2. Mediation: a neutral and impartial outsider helps the parties reach a satisfactory outcome. Community heads and traditional rulers are usually involved.
3. Compensation: what was destroyed or badly damaged in the conflict is replaced, to ensure peace.
4. Arbitration: a special body is set up to investigate and settle the conflict between the parties.
5. Court system: the dispute is settled in court, with the services of professional lawyers.
6. Special peace-keeping task force: armed forces such as the Joint Task Force (JTF) restore order between warring communities and prevent loss of lives and property. Roundtable discussions usually follow.

What is the difference between mediation and arbitration?

Mediation is the use of a neutral outsider to help the parties agree on their own solution.

Arbitration is the use of a special body to investigate a conflict and settle it.

What is the importance of inter-communal relationship?

Inter-communal relationship promotes peace, unity and progress among communities.

1. Peaceful settlement of disputes: conflicts between communities are resolved without violence.
2. Close relationships: members of different communities become closer to one another.
3. Conducive environment: it creates a good setting for social, political and economic activities.
4. Peace and progress: it ensures peace and development in the society.
5. Peaceful way of life: it reduces the chance of rebellion by militants.
6. Respect for leaders: it promotes respect for leaders and elders in the communities.
7. Unity and cohesion: it holds the community together.
8. Law and order: it enhances law and order in the society.

Evaluation

1. What is a communal society? Give two examples.
2. State four characteristics of a communal society.
3. What is inter-communal relationship?
4. Explain any three methods of settling disputes in communal societies.
5. Name two common causes of conflict in communal societies.

Assignment

List four skills that promote inter-communal relationship, and state five reasons why inter-communal relationship is important.