TOWARDS A CULTURE OF PEACE
The persistent violence in Nigeria calls for a renewed emphasis on culturally sensitive peace strategies and highlights the shortcomings of the country's violent and state-centric peace. This study's main issue is the disregard for indigenous cultures, institutions, and customs that formerly fostered harmony among Nigeria's diverse population. This research views peace as a socially constructed phenomenon that results from custom, ethics, a common conscience, and a collective identity, according to culturally oriented peace theory and peacebuilding theory. Thematic synthesis of Nigeria-focused peer-reviewed literature on peace and culture from 2020 to 2024 was used in this qualitative, interpretive manner. The analysis concluded that, in the context of indigenous conflict resolution systems, the potential for violence prevention, reconciliation, and social cohesion that comes from the local legitimization of artistic violence and culturally sensitive education, as well as peace-promoting religion.
Keywords: Indigenous conflict resolution, Culture of peace, Cultural peace-building, Nigeria.