Traditional social control in an ethnic society: Law enforcement in a Nigerian community 1

Abstract

For the purposes of enforcing judicial decisions in traditional Igbo, decisions are divided into: decisions in civil cases, decisions on crimes against public security, and decisions on crimes against public morality [ ar u , al u , or ns o (crimes that are so serious that they pollute the land, or taboos)]. The parties involved, usually without the involvement of other community members, enforce decisions in civil cases. Community organs and groups enforce decisions on crimes against public security and crimes against public morality. The community organs and groups enforce judgments on behalf of the entire community. Mmanw u (masquerades) are an important means of enforcing judgments on crimes against public security and crimes against public morality. In addition to the community enforcing judgments on crimes against public morality, a convict is often ostracized and expected to go into exile for an extended period of time. The data show that unofficial, traditional Igbo law enforcement strategies are crucial in social control.

Keywords:

• Nigeria
• Igbo
• Social Control
• Law Enforcement