Book

The laws and customs of the Yoruba people

George Routledge & Sons, Ltd.London • Published In 1924 • Pages:

By: Ajisafe, Ajayi Kolawole.

Abstract
This is an account of the laws and customs of the Yoruba in general, collected by a member of the Egba subtribe over a period of several years. A number of diverse subjects, from judicial procedure and punishment for criminal behavior to kinship terminology and the etiquette of visiting are covered. Although valuable because of the insight presented by a person subject to and participating in the customs related, this document can hardly be considered a codification of formal tribal law and custom. The author himself admits the inclusion of many practices which are 'obsolete, impracticable, and those modified by Christianity and British occupation.'In some, but not all cases obsolete practices are identified as such. The detailed information, diversity of subject, and native point of view are the major valves of this document.
Subjects
Etiquette
Visiting and hospitality
Sanctions
Judicial authority
Trial procedure
Contracts
Wrongs
Household
Real property
Slavery
Acculturation and culture contact
Territorial hierarchy
Status, role, and prestige
Taxation and public income
Regulation of marriage
culture
Yoruba
HRAF PubDate
2009
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Western Africa
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Indigenous Person
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
George R. Bedell ; 1959
Field Date
1906-1920
Coverage Date
1900-1924
Coverage Place
Nigeria
Notes
by A. K. Ajisafe ; with a portrait of the author
LCCN
25005374
LCSH
Yoruba (African people)