Customary Justice and Legal Pluralism in Urban Ethiopia: Shimglina Practices and Challenges in Debre Berhan City

Abstract

This research paper discusses the customs and issues of shimglina traditional conflict resolution in the city of Debre Berhan City, North Shewa Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. A qualitative study was employed which included 5 focus group discussions and 50 participants and semi-structured interviews with 67 key informants who were selected by use of purposive and snowball sampling. Thematic analysis was done on the data using Social Capital Theory and Social Solidarity Theory. The results indicate that shimglina tackles various conflicts such as family, neighborhood, commercial, inheritance, property and community disagreements. The mechanism was appreciated by the participants in terms of its easy access, low cost, familiarity with its culture, perceived speed as well as the focus on reconciliation and social relationships. Shimglina works at interrelations family, neighborhood, community, and greater levels, where shimageles (elders) performed the role of mediators, conciliators, arbitrators, and peacemakers. Its efficacy is however questioned by urbanization, social diversity, evolving relationship, government intervention, lack of institutional backing, generational shift, growing complex conflicts and doubt of how well it is connected with formal justice institutions. This research adds empirical data to the ways of traditional conflict resolution functioning and changing in a developing urban environment in Ethiopia.