We do not therefore have to look far for the answers to our challenges. To the oral tradition may also be added a visual tradition encompassing symbolic artifacts and a tradition of peacemakers and peace trees. Studies in anthropological more that in political sciences, administration or history gives the depth and width of cultural material in which is embedded notions and practices or ethnic mechanism for resolution of conflicts. Recent anthropological studies in Senegal, Gambia and East Africa have identified traditional mechanisms for conflict resolution for a number of ethnic groups. There is evidence to suggest that institutions, objects, places and ceremonies have symbolic values and cultural relevance for warring factions of ethnic groups and are recognized by them as legitimate instruments for reconciliation.
Peace building is explained extensively in religious and cultural symbols and meanings.
In nearby Mali for instance, traditional leaders have been key actors in the process that led to the cease-fire and consolidation of peace in the North. In the East African region there is some evidence of employing traditional means of resolving conflicts. This African community based approach has only occasionally been employed. One case in point is the resolution of conflict between the Maasai of Kisongo, Loita and Salei sections and Sonjo in the 1980's. In this case, the Prime Minister of Tanzania Ole Sokoine, who was himself a Maasai, requested the warring groups to breast-feed each other's babies.