Inter-Ethnic Conflicts Between the Gabra and Dassenetch
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i INTER-ETHNIC CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE GABRA AND DASSENETCH COMMUNITIES OF MARSABIT COUNTY, 1960 - 2011 YATTANI ISACKO DIBA C50/CE/11974/2007 THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN POLITICAL STUDIES OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY JUNE 2015 i DECLARATION This thesis is my original work and has not been presented for examination in any other University or any other award. Signature:.............................................................. Date:.................................................... Yattani Isacko Diba (C50/ CE/ 11974/ 2007) Department of History, Archaeology and Political Studies SUPERVISORS We confirm that the work reported in this thesis was carried out by the candidate under our supervision and has been submitted with our approval as the University supervisors: Signature:.............................................................. Date:............................................... Dr. Felistus Kinyanjui Department of History, Archaeology and Political Studies Signature:.............................................................. Date:............................................... Dr. Lazarus Ngari Department of History, Archaeology and Political Studies ii DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to the survivors of recurrent inter-ethnic conflicts between Gabra and Dassanetch of Marsabit County. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This work was carried out in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences of Kenyatta University. However, it would never have been completed without the support and assistance of many dedicated individuals both inside and outside the School. First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to my primary supervisor, Dr. Felistus Kinyanjui, who has supervised this thesis with invaluable enthusiasm. Her valuable advice and insightful critique of the whole thesis have been of the utmost significance. Without her encouragement, it would have very difficult to move forward. I also want to thank her for countless readings of the manuscript over and again, during the nights and over the weekends for the past two years. I am also incredibly appreciative to my second supervisor, Dr. Lazarus Ngari, for inspiration and professional guidance during field work and in the process of compiling the thesis. I have learnt a lot from him. Special thanks go to Dr. Felix Kiruthu without whom I would never have begun this process. It was his encouragement that originally inspired me to undertake this research. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my family especially my wife Hawa, and children, Ali and Madina whose love, unfailing encouragement, understanding, continued support and prayers always propelled me through every difficult moment of my study. I cannot adequately express my gratitude to my parents Mzee Diba Yattani and My Mum Sori Diba for their kindness, love, support, encouragements, help, and care throughout my life. It was they who cultivated in me the commitment and patience that have enabled me to bring this work to completion. I would also like to thank my brother Buke Diba for his moral and practical support. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ................................................................................................................ i DEDICATION .................................................................................................................. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................. iv LIST OF TABLES, MAPS AND FIGURES .................................................................. ix OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS ................................................................... x ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ..................................................................... xiii ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................... xv CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background of the Study ............................................................................................. 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem ........................................................................................... 4 1.3 Objectives of the study ............................................................................................... 5 1.4 Research Questions .................................................................................................... 5 1.6 Justification and Significance of the Study ................................................................ 6 1.7 Scope of the study ...................................................................................................... 6 1.8 Limitation of the study .............................................................................................. 7 1.9 Literature Review and Theoretical Framework .......................................................... 8 1.9.1 An Overview of Ethnic Conflicts Worldwide............................................. 8 1.9.2 Causes of conflicts ........................................................................................ 11 1.9.3 Dynamics of Conflicts ................................................................................. 15 1.9.4 Consequences of Conflicts .......................................................................... 17 1.9.5 Intervention mechanisms ............................................................................. 23 1.10 Theoretical Framework ......................................................................................... 24 v 1.10.1 Explanation of the Theoretical Concept ....................................................... 26 1.11 Methodology ........................................................................................................... 27 1.11 Introduction ................................................................................................... 27 1.11.1 Research Design ........................................................................................... 27 1.11.2 The Location of the Study ............................................................................ 28 1.11.3 Target Population ....................................................................................... 29 1.11.4 Sampling Procedures and Sample Size ...................................................... 30 1.11.5 Research Instruments .................................................................................. 32 1.11.6 Methods of Data Collection ........................................................................ 33 1.11.7 Methods of Data Analysis ............................................................................ 34 1.11.8 Ethical Considerations ................................................................................ 35 CHAPTER TWO SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS OF GABRA AND DASSANETCH DURING PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD ................................................ 37 2.0 Introduction....... ....................................................................................................... 37 2.1 The Gabra .................................................................................................................37 2.2 Geographical Setting ............................................................................................. 38 2.3 History and Origin of Gabra .................................................................................... 39 2.4 The Gabra Economy ................................................................................................. 39 2.5 Socio - political structure of the Gabra .................................................................... 40 2.5.1 The Gabra Age-set Systems .................................................................................. 41 2.5.2 Religion of the Gabra ............................................................................................ 44 2.5.3 Marriage .................................................................................................................45 2.6 Introduction to the Dassanetch ................................................................................. 47 2.6.1 The Origin of Dassanetch ............................................................................ 48 2.6.2 Social Organization of the Dassanetch ........................................................ 49 2.6.3 The Dassanetch Age-set Systems ............................................................... 50 vi 2.6.4 The Economy of Dassanetch.................................................................... 52 CHAPTER THREE PROTRACTED CONFLICTS BETWEEN GABRA AND DASSANETCH (1960- 1982) ................................................................................................................................ 54 3.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 54 3.1 The Legacy of Colonialism and its Contributions to Conflicts in Post - Colonial African States (1964 -1990) ..................................................................................... 54 3.2 The Role of International Border in Conflict