Hawks and Doves in Sudan's Armed Conflict : Al-Hakkamat Baggara Women of Darfur

Includes bibliographical references (pages 197-206) and index.

Preface: Conflict in Darfur and the Role of Darfuri Rural Women -- 1. Ethnicity and Administration in Darfur -- 2. Conflict in Darfur: Causes and implications -- 3. Al-Hakkamat Women -- 4. Local Inter-Ethnic Conflicts -- 5. Government and Racial Assimilation of Ethnic Groups -- 6. Liaising with Government -- 7. New Duties and Obligations -- 8. Roles in Peace and Reconciliation -- 9. Urban Identity and Social Change -- Conclusion

"Al-Hakkamat Baggara women hold an instrumental position in rural Sudan, wielding agency, social and political power. This book uncovers their significant, but widely overlooked, role during the war in Darfur from the 1970s to today's continuing conflict. The author examines the influence they exercised through composing and reciting poems and songs, informal speech and other symbolic acts, and analysestheir impact in the social and political domains. Challenging the pervasive portrayal of women as natural peacebuilders and their roles as passive and submissive, the author highlights how Sudan's state government co-opted al-Hakkamat Baggara women to lobby on its behalf, to rally for war and to advocate for peace. Understanding how they can contribute to the resolution and resettlement processes is vital to sustainable reconciliation and post-conflict transformation of the unstable state." --Provided by publisher.