NCJ Number
195814
Journal
International Criminal Justice Review Volume: 11 Dated: 2001 Pages: 82-103
Date Published
2001
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This article presents ethnographic research about “natural justice” as it is practiced by a remote Egyptian tribe.
Abstract
The author spent 6 weeks interviewing 38 tribal elders, members of a group called the awaqqel (meaning “most rational”), public officials, tribal members, and storytellers both in Cairo, Egypt, and in the remote oasis of Siwa. Under investigation was the practice of “natural justice” in this tribe through an examination of their methods of social control and other issues pertaining to crime and punishment. Interviews included questions regarding their government, culture and society, crime, and punishment. The author found that social control in this tribe is based on six communal principles: (1) family and community are the cornerstones of society, (2) social controls must be internalized to keep children from committing delinquent acts, (3) juvenile delinquency can be minimized by maintaining a healthy environment, (4) shame is an essential crime control method, (5) temperance of the mind is the best promoter of peaceful conflict resolution, and (6) the entire community must be involved in the justice system. The author categorizes this system of justice as participatory, negotiatory, and restorative. This type of crime control seems to work well; in the past decade only eight crimes were on record as occurring in this tribe: one manslaughter, three arsons, two cattle thefts, and two burglaries. The author notes that modern society could learn a great deal about informal social control through studies such as this one. Additionally, restoring tradition as a legitimate social control mechanism may be an important component in reducing crime in modern societies. References