ABSTRACT
Scholars have argued that the transition from violent conflict to “peace” needs to be “localised” by incorporating “traditions” that are designed and implemented by local communities. In general, anthropologists have been cautious about the claims made for “local tradition” in response to violent conflict. The report by the United Nationsquoted uses the word “local” as if its meaning is self-evident, such as “people must learn better how to respect and support local ownership, local leadership and a local constituency for reform”. The adat-based reconciliation efforts have been hailed by government officials, the media and scholars as a successful example of “grassroots” reconciliation. Sierra Leone provides a further illustration of Branch’s observation that promoting “tradition” may reinforce the injustices that gave rise to the conflict in the first place. The civil war in Sierra Leone was, in part, a response by youth to oppressive social obligations demanded by male elders.
