Forgiveness or disengagement in a traditional African cycle of revenge

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Periodical article

Title:	Forgiveness or disengagement in a traditional African cycle of revenge
Author:	Knighton, Ben
Year:	2001
Periodical:	Exchange: Journal of Contemporary Christianities in Context
Volume:	30
Issue:	1
Pages:	18-32
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Uganda
Subjects:	ethics Christianity Karamojong ethnic warfare Suk
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1163/157254301X00020
Abstract:	Ever since they became neighbours, raiding has gone on intermittently between the Karamojong of northeastern Uganda and the Pokot, Jie, Dodos, Turkana, Samburu, etc. The incentives to acquire more cattle by raiding cannot be suppressed by prosperous elders for long, and the urge to counter-raid to restore lost cattle is intense. There is a picture of a traditional African cycle of revenge, and it is not just a media concoction. It is the long articulation and exchange of theology at a deep level that can engage thoughts of revenge and so change behaviour. It is only forgiveness, as a theological response, that can break the cycle of revenge and the accumulating demands for restitution. The Karamojong can have that forgiveness to which confession of sin and repentance are the true responses for those who believe in the continual activity of God. Notes, ref.