Healing Harmonies: Grassroots Music as a Tool for Peace Education and Reconciliation in Nigeria

This article investigates the role of music in fostering peace education and reconciliation in conflict-affected communities in Nigeria. Concentrating on grassroots musical practices in regions impacted by ethno-religious violence, it explores how traditional and contemporary forms of music function as mediums for collective healing, dialogue, and the reconstruction of social relations. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from peace studies and ethnomusicology, the analysis foregrounds music’s affective and communicative capacities to transcend linguistic and cultural barriers, enabling inclusive participation in peace processes. Case examples from community music initiatives illustrate how localized musical expressions contribute to building resilience, fostering empathy, and sustaining nonviolent coexistence. The article argues for the strategic integration of music into peace education frameworks in Nigeria, emphasizing its potential to engage learners not only cognitively but also emotionally and socially. This article situates music as a culturally embedded resource for nurturing sustainable peace within Nigeria’s diverse and often divided society

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Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt-Associated Neuropsychiatric Symptoms: A Literature Review and Two Case Reports

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts are a common use for the treatment of hydrocephalus, which is a condition causing excessive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) buildup in the brain. The shunt drains the CSF from the brain and into the abdomen, where it can be absorbed by the body. Although a widely used and successful procedure, it is unclear whether neurosurgical placement of this shunt may directly cause psychiatric abnormalities, especially regarding the dopaminergic system. In this paper, we first review relevant literature and discuss the dopamine circuitry in the brain. The literature suggests a shunt-associated clinical syndrome, which may include a reduction in facial and/or verbal expressivity, reduced willful movement, rigidity, and vertical gaze palsy. Typical presentation occurs within three months of a shunt revision. In patients with a VP shunt, these signs may be a strong indicator of mechanical or functional shunt malfunction. We then present two cases of hydrocephalus managed with a VP shunt, where both patients developed symptoms suggestive of psychosis and/or dopamine pathway pathology after shunt placement. We conclude that clinicians should have a suspicion for shunt-associated symptomology in patients with a history of recently treated hydrocephalus who present with psychomotor, personality, or cognitive changes

The Emergence of Pop-Masses: How Pop-Cultural Aesthetics Shape Contemporary Norwegian Worship

  Since 2017, the Church of Norway has introduced new theatrical strategies and embraced spectacular aesthetics in its masses. Introduced initially through “carnival services,” these practices have since expanded into what I have termed “pop-masses”, which incorporate elements from popular culture to create events blending sacred and secular themes. Through case studies of Harry Potter-masses and Les Misérables-mass, this article explores how these liturgical innovations challenge traditional minimalist aesthetics in Norwegian Lutheranism and foster new modes of theological engagement. Beginning with carnival services, I will examine how these new pop-masses have become significant events in Lutheran congregations in Norway's largest cities: Oslo and Bergen. Through this analysis, I aim to shed light on the development of a new dramaturgical approach within the Norwegian Church that integrates popular aesthetics into religious rituals

UNA APROXIMACIÓN A LA JUSTICIA DESDE LA EXPERIENCIA SUBJETIVA: Comunidades epistémicas, el método fenomenológico para análisis, justicia restaurativa, expresión existencial y la búsqueda de la justicia

If we observe what is happening rather than what ought to happen, we will see that justice exercised from within patriarchy has served as the violent arm of supremacies. We could even argue that the most common historical method for addressing conflict has been imposition—whether from traditional supremacy (classes, groups, nations, races historically considered superior), by force (weapons, military or police dominance, economic superiority), or by the rational power of argument. Rarely do we find a form of justice that truly serves those who suffer and are in need, regardless of their position in the social hierarchy.It is important to recognize that, at times, groups that uphold universal human rights have themselves acted as rational supremacists, accusing others—those who defend racial or other forms of supremacy—of being intellectually, culturally, ethically, or morally inferior. These certainties of superiority may, in turn, fuel expressions of hatred.This paper proposes that by drawing upon epistemic virtues, phenomenology, restorative justice, and existential expression, it is possible to escape the supremacist game and move toward a form of justice aligned with peace. This involves freeing ourselves from the historical pattern of violent imposition and colonization as primary tools for resolving disputes, and focusing instead on responding to human suffering.In a historical moment where much of the supremacist imposition comes from groups that deny the inherent dignity of each human being, a peaceful response must become an alternative to hatred—an evolution of solidarity that prevents us from falling into anomie.Si miramos lo que ocurre y no lo que debe ocurrir, miraremos que la justicia ejercida desde el patriarcado, ha servido como brazo violento de supremacías. Incluso podríamos afirmar que el principal método conocido en la historia para enfrentar el conflicto es la imposición, desde la supremacía por tradición (clases, grupos,naciones, razas tradicionalmente reconocidos como superiores), por fuerza para imponerse (armamento, superioridad militar, policial y superioridad económica) y por la fuerza racional del argumento. Difícilmente encontraremos una justicia que sirva a quien sufre y necesita independientemente de su posición en la jerarquía.         Se considera relevante considerar que, a veces, grupos que reconocen los derechos humanos universales han actuado como supremacistas racionales, acusando de inferioridad cultural, intelectual, ética y moral a quienes defienden otras formas de supremacía como la racial y quizá desde esa certeza de superioridad se alimentan expresiones de odio.      Se propone que: mediante virtudes epistémicas, la fenomenología, la justicia restaurativa y la manifestación existencial, se  pueda escapar al juego supremacista como un camino a una justicia afín a la paz, liberándonos del histórico juego violento de la imposición y colonización como principal camino para resolver disputas y centrarnos más bien en dar respuesta a todo sufrimiento humano.        En un momento histórico donde gran parte de la imposición supremacista viene de grupos que no miran a cada ser humano como digno, la respuesta pacífica necesita ser una alternativa al odio y un desarrollo de la solidaridad que no libere de la anomia.&nbsp

Feasting on Flesh: A Case Report and Literature Review of Cannibalistic Ideation in Children & Adolescents

Human cannibalism is an extremely rare and violent act that is poorly understood in the modern era, and pediatric cannibalism is even less understood. This is due to methodological hurdles when investigating the topic, including a lack of data from the sheer rarity of the act as well as bias in case analysis. Here, we will detail a case of an adolescent with cannibalistic ideation. This 14-year-old male presented to the ED due to ego-syntonic thoughts of cannibalism and was promptly admitted for an inpatient psychiatric stay for four days. Through this case report, we aim to improve medical providers’ understanding of pediatric cannibalism and cannibalistic ideation and provide psychodynamic context

Front Matter: PRS, Vol 7 No 1

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