Tarok, Wolof, Mandika Joking Relationships, Humour and Peace Building in Africa

Abstract

This paper introduced the concept of laughter and humor from the point of an African peace building ritual called joking relationship. The paper started by conceptualizing laughter, humor and conflict management and also explained the role of laughter and humors in conflict situations in Africa. It adopted the Relief theory of humor by Sigmund Freud to explain the role it plays in conflict management. This paper used secondary sources to explain the role of humor and laughter in managing conflict among the joking relationship of the Wolof-Mandinka in Gambians and the Tarok people of Plateau State of Nigeria is analysed as a case study. The paper recommends the continuous promotion of the use of joking relationships which emphasise humor and laughter by African societies in managing conflict. It also states clearly at the community level, joking relationships should be introduced by different societies as it cements relationships between communities and helps to manage many other forms of communal conflict.