article

Towards the judicial process: a Tallensi case

Social analysis22 • Published In 1987 • Pages: 132-146

By: Fortes, Meyer.

Abstract
This article discusses the judiciary roles of Tallensi clan heads as observed in extended ethnographic fieldwork in 1936. The focus is on cultural and political considerations affecting judiciary powers of clan heads whose legitimacy rested not only on local legal norms but also on the favors of the British colonial government. The author discusses these issues using rich information drawn from actual court cases involving cattle debt and interpersonal conflicts.
Subjects
Special courts
Community heads
Legal norms
Litigation
Judicial authority
Legal and judicial personnel
Trial procedure
Informal in-group justice
Ethics
Inter-community relations
Social control
External relations
culture
Tallensi
HRAF PubDate
2010
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Western Africa
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Anthropologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Teferi Abate Adem; 2008
Field Date
1936
Coverage Date
1930-1936
Coverage Place
Tongo village, Ghana
Notes
Meyer Fortes
Includes bibliographical references (p. 146)
LCCN
89657469
LCSH
Tallensi (African people)