Interrogating Indigenous African Intergenerational Dialogue: From Yoruba Cultural Material Perspectives.

The survival and continuity of Africans, particularly the Yoruba people of South-West Nigeria and their diaspora in Brazil, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and beyond, have been largely sustained through indigenous practices of intergenerational dialogue and mediation. Historically, Yoruba societies developed structured systems of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) that prevented internal and external conflicts while fostering peaceful coexistence with neighbouring communities. These systems also underpinned Yoruba engagement with foreign powers such as the Portuguese, British, and Spaniards, reflecting an enduring diplomatic consciousness rooted in culture. Through institutionalised communication channels, Yoruba empires achieved political stability, economic advancement, and social cohesion across generations. This paper identifies and examines the indigenous intergenerational dialogue and mediation subsystems that have contributed to the resilience and transformation of Yoruba socio-political and cultural structures over time. The study further engages the perspectives of Homi K. Bhabha (1994) on hybridity and identity formation within transnational spaces. Employing a qualitative ethnographic method involving textual and interpretive analysis, this study argues, based on the literature reviewed, that Yoruba intergenerational dialogue operates as a practical mechanism for conflict resolution, leadership succession, and moral instruction. It concludes that such indigenous communication systems remain vital instruments for policy formulation, social mediation, and the preservation of Africa’s intangible heritage. The study recommends the formal integration of indigenous dialogue frameworks into civic education, governance, and diaspora engagement strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]