Authors Name: Ayodele, Adegoke Mutair B.A(Hons) History (Ilorin), M.A African History (Ibadan).
Address: Oyo State Government of Nigeria Ministry of Women Affairs, Community Development and Social Welfare. P.M.B 29 Agodi Gate Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria.
Tel:           +2348023516761
E-mail Address: ayogoke@yahoo.com
Institutional Affiliation: Independent Scholar / Researcher.

Title: Same Breed, Different Animals: An Historical Analysis of Social upheaval among the Irawo people in Oyo State Nigeria

This paper examines the history of origin of the people of Irawo from the stand point of oral traditional. Oral tradition asserts that conflict arose between two biological brothers over the chieftaincy title of Ajoriiwin. Ajoriiwin meaning “eater of the skull of a spirit” refers to the traditional political title of the paramount head of Irawo people.
 The nature of the chieftaincy title is highlighted and the dimensions which the conflict interplayed is discussed in relation to the present socio-cultural life of the people
 Furthermore, the paper attempts an examination of the evolution of the social upheaval in Irawo town from the period when Irawo was a small town in Oke Ogun axis of the old Oyo Empire, to the period the conflict escalated to the point of division of the town into two with each division having its paramount ruler.

 The paper examines on a comparative analysis, the various conflict resolution measures employed to stem the protracted social crisis during the pre-colonial period and the colonial period. It stresses the fact that the conflict was better managed during the pre-colonial epoch.

It revealed, however that the entrenched judicial system of the colonial authority further aggravated the tempo of the conflict before the eventual ruling of the supreme court of Nigeria in year 2006.

The paper concludes with a summary of the discussion. Also, it identifies various lessons drawn from the study as reference to African town with similar feud.
Since the period of the study cuts across pre-colonial period to the post-independence, the paper relied on credible evidences as presented by Oral tradition and anthropological findings with consultation of relevant literature.
In the same vein, archival materials and reports of the supreme court of Nigeria were studied.

AND

Process and Methods of Conflict Management and Justice Dispensation among the Yoruba People of Nigeria. 1820 – 1960.

This paper examines the traditional process and methods of conflict management and justice dispensation with particular reference to the Yoruba People of Nigeria.

The period covered in this paper is significant because the 19th century was characterized with various forms of wars and conflict in Yoruba history, these wars included Owu, Ijaye, Kiriji, wars etc.

The paper attempts an examination to analyze the nature of some of these conflicts and methods employed by the people for management and resolution.
Also, it would be brought to light how mega Yoruba states collapsed with the emergence of mini states as fractions.

Furthermore, the paper examines on a comparative analysis the modus operandi employed in conflict management and dispensation of justice during the pre-colonial period and the colonial period. This involved essentially prosecution of offenders and the important roles played by the women folks in the realm of rift and conflict prevention.

The paper, however, stresses the fact that the colonial epoch was a turning point in the history of traditional activities in Yorubaland as it relates with conflict management and dispensation of justice.

The socio – cultural function of religious groups is discussed in the context of dispensation of justice. While examining the various festivals and the purpose they serve in conflict management, the paper probes into the political functions of civil and palace chiefs in the light of the changing roles they played during the pre-colonial period and the colonial era.

The paper concludes with summary of the discussion and proffered solutions towards promotion of peace in the African continent.

Oral traditional and participant observation form the basis of the methodology used in the work. In the same vein, essential literature and Archival materials are consulted.