Citation

Higgins S. Int. Stud. Sociol. Educ. 2019; 28(2): 127-145.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/09620214.2019.1580602

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Recent research on the peace-promoting agency of teachers in conflict-affected contexts has critiqued the dominance of a menu of curriculum initiatives circulated within aid organizations which ignore or dismiss indigenous cultural resources available within local communities. On the other hand, the turn to local culture in peacebuilding interventions has also been critiqued for idealizing the local. This paper presents a case study of the work of Fambul Tok Peace Clubs in conflict-affected Sierra Leone which aim to support teachers in drawing on local practices, rituals and symbols. Using an interpretative approach, alert to the meanings teachers ascribe to their pedagogical practices, it finds that teachers respond to local culture in multiple, sometimes contradictory ways. These range from celebration of indigenous practices as resources for conflict resolution that resonate with their pupils and communities to critique of their oppressive gender norms and inability to address structural drivers of conflict.

Language: en

Keywords

Culture; de Sousa Santos; indigenous; peacebuilding; pedagogy; Sierra Leone