Adzina : An Indigenous System of Trial by Jury on the Ghana-Togo Border

World Bank

Washington, DC

关键词: INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS;    TRIAL PROCEDURES;    INDIGENOUS PEOPLES;    CRIMINAL CASES;    PUBLIC OFFICIALS ARBITRATION;   

RP-ID  :  26813

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

In a recent article in this series, theauthor discussed the indigenous principles that undergirdthe maintenance of social control among Buems of Buem-Katoron the Ghana side of the Ghana-Togo border in the BuemTraditional Area in the Jasikan District in the Volta Regionof Ghana. The current article, too, is about the same Buems.In this one, the author presents the indigenous Buem jurysystem, known as adzina. But before discussing the natureand process of adzina, he first discusses bate kate, whichis the Buem forum for adjudication of which adzina is anintegral part. According to the Buem elders, Buems make it apoint to try to avoid bate kate which they consider to beadversarial and time-consuming, not only to the disputants,but also to their respective kinsfolk who are customarilyobliged to accompany them to hearings. Unlike benyaogbaukpikator-discussed in the article earlier mentioned -batekate is a more elaborate process, which proceeds in stagesand normally involves intensive cross-examination andassembling of witnesses and, where necessary, exhibits. Interms of monetary outlay too, bate kate can be expensive.This is because fines, and in some cases, costs are imposedon convicted parties.