January 28 — Religious, Political and Tribal Conflicts in Africa
Believe the headlines and one would think that the entire continent of Africa is engulfed perpetually in armed conflicts. It is important to put conflicts in African nations into perspective—in regional and global terms—and to exercise extreme caution in drawing conclusions about these conflicts that one would not apply to the incredible devastation of the “world wars” between Western powers in this century or to the social and economic toll that the innocent citizens of many nations have paid as a result of the cold-war arms race between the superpowers.
When: Monday January 28, 6:00 -8:00 pm
Where: Cairo Cafe 3047 Lafayette Rd. Indianapolis, Indiana 46222
This is organized by Mosaic: An International Conversation Cafe Community. Participation Fee $10.00 (includes a beverage and appetizers) (Full buffet & speciality beverages may be purchased separately). Email your RSVP to: cindyball@sbcglobal.net or call at 317.920.0231.
According to the Africa World Press Guide:
While there are undoubtedly wars fought primarily on religious and political grounds, wars frequently have multiple and complex causes. In various countries, including the USA, religious and/or political designations have frequently been used as acceptable grounds for justifying cultural and historical differences between factions of people, giving the impression that the conflict is primarily about religious differences. Many wars that are not Religious wars, often still include elements of religion such as priests blessing battleships, ministers taking on leadership roles and leading demonstrates and rallies, even cross burnings. Also differences in religion can further inflame a war being fought for other reasons. Historically temples (and other religious gathering places) have been targets that are destroyed to weaken the morale of the opponent, even when the war itself is not being waged over religious ideals. The ideals and duties of religion were used as tools to legitimize warfare.
Another caution in approaching this subject is the need to put to rest the mistaken notion that Africa’s conflicts are “tribal” wars. For one thing, the term “tribal” is inaccurate and pejorative, a term that would never be used to describe the warring factions in northern regions (Bosnia or Ireland, for instance). For another reason, the origins and nature of conflicts in African nations are as complex as they are in other parts of the world.
This has become particularly crucial for Indianapolis with the recent violence erupting in our newest sister city, Eldoret Kenya. What can be done to help heal a place like that, and to help the Kenyans defuse future conflicts? Discuss the issue at the splendid Cairo Cafe.
Know before you go … Read about Tribal Wars in Africa, and about the Electoral Mayhem in Kenya.
If you think this event sounds interesting, check out … Provocate’s First Friday event on February 1 will be devoted to Eldoret-Kenya-Africa. IMA has some fine movies about Africa, including “Bamako” on February 7 and “The Iron Ladies of Liberia” on February 28. You should see the Nigerian novelist Chris Abani April 9.
January 8th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
[…] January 28 — Religious, Political and Tribal Conflicts in Africa Believe the headlines and one would think that the entire continent of Africa is engulfed perpetually in armed conflicts. It is important to put conflicts in African nations into perspective—in regional and global terms—and to exercise extreme caution in drawing conclusions about these conflicts that one would not apply to the incredible devastation of the “world wars” between Western powers in this century or to the social and economic toll that the innocent citizens of many nations have paid as a result of the cold-war arms race between the superpowers. check it out […]
January 9th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I disagree the the use of ‘tribal’ is pejorative. In fact, I think it should be used more to describe conflicts in eastern Europe and Asia. Its meaning is distinct from ethnic or racial and therefore very useful in accurately describing the nature of many conflicts.
January 17th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
[…] be excellent. You can discussion tribal and ethnic conflicts in Kenya and Africa over dinner at the Mosaic International Conversation Cafe of January 28. Bookmark […]