Fostering Peace through Traditional Sports amongst the Igbo People of Nigeria
Kelechi Johnmary Ani 
Issue: Vol.8 No.1 2025 Article 1 pp. 1 – 8
DOI : https://doi.org/10.38159/motbit.2026811 | Published online 25th February, 2026
© 2026 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Sports has remained a human behavior that manifests in different forms in different societies. While there are a number of sports that have attained the international status of major sports that are presently practiced and competed for, across the globe, there remain a number of indigenous and traditional sports that are limited to specific environments. This study focused on the place of indigenous sports and their contributions towards peacebuilding amongst the Igbo people of Nigeria. It used primary and secondary materials to develop its content. The study found that traditional sports remain widely practiced amongst the Igbo people and that the sports contribute to inter-group relations, promote social peace, enhance human networking and advance critical thinking. The study recommends that sports be included in all government competitions that are sponsored by the South-Eastern governments in Nigeria in order to transform them. It concludes that the path towards human longevity will be promoted through sports, and traditional sports will appeal to the people faster, considering that sports are part of their cultural practice.
Keywords: Traditional Sports, Peacebuilding, Social Integration, Igboland
Adetayo, Jamiu. “Urbanization and the Decline of Traditional Sports in Nigeria.” Journal of African Urban Studies 14, no. 3 (2017): 55–69.
Adewale, Adeoye S. “Culture and Socialization”. Fundamental Themes in Social Studies Education. Lucky Odoni Enterprises, 2005.
Ajayi, Ade. “Traditional Games and Intellectual Development in Yoruba Land.” International Journal of African Studies 22, no. 1 (2017): 40–55.
Ani, Kelechi Johnmary. “Factoring Tradotronic Media Communication for Human Security Management and Social Stability in Nigerian Communities.” Conflict and Communication Online 13, no. 1 (2014): 1–10.
Ani, Kelechi Johnmary, and Donatus Ifukwu Ajaegbo. “Historical Foundations of Conflict Management and Peace Building Strategies in Nigeria.” Ubuntu: Journal of Conflict and Social Transformation 4, no. 1 (2015): 113–33.
Anyika, Vincent Okwudiba, and Kelechi Johnmary Ani. “Track Five Diplomacy: The Role of Peace Education in Peacebuilding in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.” African Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies 12, no. 3 (2023): 183–200.
Bello, Rasheed. Education and Cultural Preservation in Nigeria. Zaria: Northern University Press, 2019.
Chukwu, Nnamdi. “Wrestling in Igbo Culture.” Tradition and Transition: African Studies Review 58, no. 3 (2015): 84–100.
Ekechi, Felix. Traditional Games and Festivals in Nigeria. Enugu: Eastern Cultural Books, 2019.
Eze, Kingsley N. “Globalization and Cultural Erosion”. The Nigerian Experience. Lagos: Modern Nigerian Press, 2020.
Mbah, Chigozie. Igbo Cultural Practices and Their Modern Relevance. Abuja: African Heritage Books, 2016.
Ogbaa, Kalu. Igbo: ‘Heritage Library of African Peoples”. New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 1995.
Okoro, Anieze. “Festivals and Ceremonies in Igboland.” Journal of African Cultural Studies 30, no. 2 (2018): 150–65.
Kelechi Johnmary Ani bagged a doctoral degree in Peace Studies from the Department of Politics and International Relations, North West University, South Africa. He is of the School of Public Management, Governance and Public Policy, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Ani, Kelechi Johnmary. “Fostering Peace through Traditional Sports amongst the Igbo People of Nigeria.” Journal of Mother-Tongue Biblical Hermeneutics and Theology 8, no.1 (2026): 1-8. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2026811
© 2026 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Others
