Rhetoric over War: Indigenous Dialogue and Conflict Resolution in Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s The River Between

Abstract

This paper explores how Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s The River Between presents an African-centred model of conflict resolution through culturally grounded rhetoric. Using Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis and Aristotle’s theory of rhetoric, the study examines how Waiyaki, Kabonyi, and Joshua as key characters use language to negotiate power, build unity, or promote division. Ngũgĩ constructs moments of high tension that are resolved not through violence, but through persuasive speech rooted in oral tradition and communal values. The argument is that such rhetoric, when anchored in local culture, becomes a practical tool for conflict resolution. The novel stands in contrast to real-world peace efforts that often fail due to external interference and the dismissal of indigenous knowledge systems. The main recommendation is that effective conflict resolution must begin with culturally resonant forms of dialogue already present in communities. Rather than impose outside solutions, efforts should support the voices and rhetorical traditions that have long sustained African societies.