Bedouin Justice
Laws and Customs amongst the Egyptian Bedouin

This 1925 volume provides an introduction to the rich and complicated traditions of Bedouin law.

Austin Kennett (Author)

9780521230834, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 9 June 2011

192 pages
20.3 x 12.7 x 1 cm, 0.22 kg

Originally published in 1925, this volume provides an introduction to the rich and complicated traditions of Bedouin law. Written from the author's own experiences after spending more than seven years in the deserts of Egypt and Sinai, it was intended to dispel the myths that had developed around Bedouin culture within western society. The text studiously avoids these forms of condemnation and sentimentalisation in focusing on particular examples of justice in practice, thus revealing the subtle network of human relationships around which the culture was formed. It is written with an affection that reveals the author's genuine admiration for Bedouin traditions, but does not shy away from revealing the problems within these traditions. This important book will be of value to anyone with an interest in Bedouin culture, anthropology or law.

Part I: 1. Historical note
2. The western Bedouin
Part II: 3. Tribal organisation
4. Application of tribalism
Part III: 5. Social distinctions
6. The tribal idea
Part IV: 7. Judicial organisation
Part V: 8. Evidence and Bedouin law
Part VI: 9. Bloodmoney - Sinai
Part VII: 10. Bloodmoney - western desert
Part VIII: 11. Debts
Part IX: 12. Land disputes
Part X: 13. Inheritance
Part XI: 14. Trial by ordeal
Part XII: 15. Wounds and damages
Part XIII: 16. Laws relating to women
Part XIV: 17. The anomalous position of Bedouin law
Part XV: 18. Conclusion
Index.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography [JHMC]