he potential of traditional approaches in resolving and managing land conflicts in Tanzania The Case of Kibaha District

The aim of this study was to investigate the traditional approaches to conflict resolution and management over land conflicts in Tanzania, with reference to Kibaha District. The study was based on three research questions: what are the types, causes and effect of land conflict in Kibaha District? The study used two theories namely the structural functionalism theory and optimal psychology. The study employed case study research design so as to gain deeper understanding of how traditional approaches work in modern Tanzania setting. This study employed case study research design so as to gain deeper understanding of how traditional approaches work in modern Tanzania setting. This study is purely qualitative because data was collected from people’s views, opinions and experience. Data was collected by the use of interviews, focus group discussion and observation. There are twelve types of land conflicts in Kibaha. Most of these land conflicts are at the individual level , where the conflicts exists between one person and another, or the conflicts might be one family against another. However, sometimes the conflict is between one individual against an investor, who is normally a big organization or company. There are also conflicts that are between one village and another, especially over border demarcation issues. Kibaha District residents, just like any other part of Tanzania, utilize the land conflict settlement machinery based on specialized courts, as per the law, at the national, district, ward and village levels. My study also highlighted the effect of unresolved land conflicts leading to deaths, destruction of properties and causing of bodily harm. More importantly, the study through the case Khamisi and Khalfan highlighted the generic and salient features that make traditional approaches to land conflict indispensable: being less costly, less time consuming, participatory and restorative. All in all, the role played by traditional approaches to deal with land disputes remains the single most important tool, yet untapped, to resolve these unending land conflicts. Thus, the study suggests that the government has to promote and strengthen, document, and codify these best practices of traditional conflicts management, for they would reduce the problems in the current from tribunals