The Roles of Women in Instigating and Intensifying Ethnic Conflicts: The Case of Borana Women in Southern Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study explored how Borana Oromo women instigated and intensified inter-clan/-ethnic conflicts. An ethnographic research design and a qualitative research approach were employed in the study. The primary data were collected through focus group discussions, non-participant observations, key informant interviews, and in-depth interviews while the secondary data were collected through a desk review. The collected data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. The findings of the study have revealed that the Borana Oromo women use folk songs to praise the heroes who defended Borana territories and successfully raided cattle, and disgrace the cowards in an attempt to promote masculinity and heroism and enhance men’s spirit to fight to defend their territories and access valuable resources relentlessly. These songs play a key role in developing the culture of heroism and bravery among the Borana men. The songs vividly show that women play a significant role in ethnic conflicts though they are usually portrayed as peacemakers. The theoretical contribution is that women are not only conflict victims and peacemakers but also conflict instigators and heroines. The practical contribution of this finding is that the inclusive peacebuilding process demands policymakers and program developers to consider women as conflict instigators, peacemakers, and peacebuilders.