Abstract:

Conflict transformation practitioners working cross-culturally must acquaint themselves with new socio-cultural norms, languages, behaviors, and roles conveying information on approaches to and processes for dispute resolution and conflict transformation, in order to effectively manage or transform local conflicts. However, many socio-cultural groups embrace strict taboos involving the sharing of intimate information with outsiders, particularly with regard to heated conflict scenarios. These taboos leave conflict transformation researchers and practitioners at a loss for key information on local conflict and mechanisms for its transformation or management. This paper introduces a methodology for research and practice that offers a new understanding of and provides new opportunities for conflict transformation by exploring the intersection between anthropology and dramatic arts. Specifically, studying local dramatic arts provides new information about cultural resources for conflict transformation and contributes to the development of more effective and socio-culturally appropriate conflict transformation methodologies. Inspired by the elicitive approach to conflict transformation, this essay offers a practical model for generating data about conflict transformation practices, including socio-cultural processes for trust-building, dialogue, dispute resolution, forgiveness, and reconciliation, and for developing or enhancing mechanisms for conflict transformation and dispute resolution.