ABSTRACT
The study, Jukun - Chamba relations in the present dayWukari and Donga
Local Government Areas of Taraba State seeks to understand the nature of
interaction between the two ethnic groups. Contemporary discourse by
many scholars posits that all inter - group relations are inherently
conflictual and historical development of African people is assumed to
be made up largely of conflict andviolent struggle. This gives the
impression that African societies were characterized by anarchy. The
history of the Jukun and Chamba relations has been characterized by
conflicts especially at the initial stage of their contact, but the
impression that the two communities never enjoyed peaceful intercourse
has been examined and proved to be erroneous. A thorough appraisal of
available sources about the Jukun and Chamba contact and interaction
indicate that there were strong political, economic and socio-religious
ties that bound the two communities together. The study has demonstrated
that the interaction has been dominated by co-operation and
co-existence since the pre-colonial period. The Jukun and Chamba peoples
have harmoniously interacted, co-existed and bound together
inextricably by common habitation and cross-cultural values for over a
century. The main focus of this study is on the area of better
inter-group harmony, peace, general understanding and appreciation of
the culture of the people of the area under review