This paper uses a novel dataset on ethnic warfare to shed lights on how conflict affects social identification and cohesion. A large body of anecdotal studies illustrates how the saliency of ethnic identities increases at times of conflict. This paper uses data from eighteen sub-Saharan countries to provide econometric evidence for such a claim. The effect of ethnic conflict on various measures of social capital is also investigated. Identity conflict is shown to have a positive impact on local civic engagement. The finding is understood as a result of the ethnocentric dynamics generated by conflict: as ethnic warfare increases ethnic identification, in-group cooperation follows suit. This parochial interpretation is further strengthened by the use of remote violence and the conditionality of conflict-induced pro-social behaviour on low levels of ethnic fractionalisation.