Preserving the Future through the Past: Unveiling the Role of Collective Memory in Conflict- Affected Communities.

Abstract

ing migration studies have neglected immobility and primarily focused on non-violent settings like IDP and refugee camps. However, in Africa’s Sahel region, characterised by violent conflicts between nomadic Fulani herders and sedentary farmers, little is known about the factors that influence and sustain immobility among conflict-affected communities. This paper examines the immobility experiences of farmers in conflict-affected communities in Nigeria, exploring why they choose to remain in their villages despite a lack of support from security agencies against non-state actor invasions. Conducted in May 2022, the study employs reflexive thematic analysis on data from 54 participants in Benue and Nasarawa states. Findings underscore the role of collective memory in shaping attachment to ancestral land and their adoption of immobility for its preservation. By addressing neglected factors in immobility within conflict-affected communities, this research contributes to the literature, emphasising the importance of understanding collective memory and its implications for contemporary behaviours.