Intercommunal Relationship SS2 Civic Education Lesson Note

A communal society is a type of society in which the population is small and the people share things in common as brothers and sisters. Examples of communal societies are villages, hamlets, camps, etc.

CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMUNAL SOCIETY

1. The community is usually small 
2. It is usually homogeneous in nature.
3. Majority of the people engage in primary activities e.g. farming.
4. Majority of the people are not educated.
5. Houses are dispersed and may be separated by farmlands.
6. Social relationships are personal and intimate
7. There is a strong sense of communal responsibilities and group solidarity among members of the community.

INTER-COMMUNAL RELATIONSHIP

This is the relationship between people from different communal societies.The relationship between people from different communities is based on economic,social and political activities.

ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

Communal societies are basically agrarian in occupation and in most cases, the community produces the same type of agricultural products. Members of the community work together in clearing bushes and preparing farmland for planting and harvesting. In many parts of Nigeria, men are assisted by their wives to harvest agricultural products, others in the community may be engaged in some specialized occupations such as pot-making, mat weaving, blacksmithing, hunting  and traditional medicine.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Communal societies encourage inter-communal marriages, worshiping in common ancestral shrines, and belief in a god or goddess. They also work together in digging wells and ponds, maintenance of common markets and clearing of roads. This helps to promote the spirit of solidarity, oneness and healthy community life.

POLITICAL ACTIVITIES

Political activities in communal societies include the grouping of people into different age-grades, selection of leaders, enforcement of local customs, punishment of erring members and assignment of roles. Leaders are periodically chosen and replaced. It should be noted however, the most communal societies practice direct democracy.

SKILLS THAT PROMOTE INTER-COMMUNAL RELATIONSHIP

1. Tolerance among members of the communities.
2. Respect for human rights.
3. Access to justice whenever the need arises.
4. Inter-communal marriages.
5. Engagement in sport activities.
6. Good governance.

SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES IN INTER-COMMUNAL SOCIETIES

Inter-communal societies have their gains as well as their challenges. There is no human relationship that is free from disagreements or misunderstanding. Communal societies are not exempted from this rule. Due to the simple way of life of villagers, conflict resolution in such a community is also simple. However, where serious issues are involved it may require the intervention of the court.

The common areas of conflict in communal societies border on properties such as land, inheritance, disobedience to existing laws and appointment of people into positions of authority. What is important however is how to manage such crises or challenges when they arise. Disputes and conflicts are resolved in the following ways:

1. Dialogue: This is a method of dispute resolution whereby the warring parties are called to state their grievances and the leaders will settle the issue using their local experiences and knowledge.

2. Mediation: In this type of conflict resolution, a neutral and impartial outsider works with those involved in the conflict to assure them of a satisfactory outcome. Those who are usually involved in this are  community heads and traditional rulers.

3. Compensation: This is the replacement of what has been destroyed or badly damaged in the course of conflict in order to ensure peace in the society.

4. Arbitration: This is a conflict resolution method where special bodies are set up to investigate and settle conflicts between warring parties.

5. Court System: This has to do with the settlement of disputes in the court through the services of professional lawyers.

6. Special Peace-keeping Task Force: This is the use of armed forces such as JTF to restore sanity between warring communities to avoid destruction of lives and properties. This kind of conflict resolution method is usually followed up by roundtable discussions.

IMPORTANCE OF INTER-COMMUNAL RELATIONSHIP

1. Peaceful settlement of disputes.
2. Close relationship among members of the communities.
3. It creates a conducive environment for social, political and economic activities.
4. It ensures peace and progress in the society.
5. Non-existence of rebellion by militants due to peaceful and simple way of life.
6. It promotes respect for leaders and elders in the communities.
7. Promotion of unity and cohesion in the community.
8. It enhances law and order in the society.