Abstract:
Jos, the capital of Plateau State, has witnessed incessant violent crises in the last two decades. The conflicts have essentially centred on issues of politics, religion and tussle over claims of land ownership and right of the indigenes namely, Berom, Afizere and Anaguta versus their counterpart, the Hausa/Fulani settlers. Despite the use of many different conflict resolution and peace mediation approaches by the government and other stakeholders, the Jos crises continue to persist. Perhaps, it means that the various conflict mediations and peace building efforts/initiatives may not be effective as expected. This necessitates the exploration of alternative conflict resolution mechanisms. Music is credited to be an effective medium of cultural identity, creative expression and economic/political mobilization and empowerment as it is believed to have potential or real power to mediate conflict situations and engender peace. Thus, the musicals, “Blood on our Hands” is a composition that aims to mediate, mitigate, and possibly heal the wounds inflicted by the protracted and endemic communal crisis in Jos and environs. It uses materials that were obtained from both historical and current sources which reflect the painful realities of the crisis situation from broad and inclusive perspectives of the main actors. It tells the story in a compelling and delightful way using musicals that stimulate, engage and feed the attention of the audience aesthetically. This work, practically achieved from script to stage and finally to screen via a digital medium such as the studio.
