NCJ Number
53221
Journal
CRIMINOLOGIA Volume: 1 Issue: 5 Dated: (APRIL 17, 1978) Pages: 55-101
Date Published
1978
Length
47 pages
Annotation
THE ANTHROPOLOGICAL APPROACH IS USED IN THIS STUDY OF TRIBAL LAW, CRIMES, AND PUNISHMENT IN THE PRIMITIVE SOCIETY OF THE MELANESIAN INHABITANTS OF THE TROBRIAND ISLANDS IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA.
Abstract
THE WORKINGS OF COMBINED CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CODES OF LAWS AMONG A SURPRISINGLY COHESIVE PRIMITIVE MELANESIAN OF DAILY FIELD OBSERVATION. COMPLEX BUT EFFECTIVE RULES GOVERN ALL ASPECTS OF SOCIAL ORGANIZATION AND TRIBAL ORGANIZATION AND TRIBAL COMMUNITY RELATIONS, AS WELL AS INDIVIDUAL DOMESTIC RELATIONS. THE ROLE OF MAGIC IS PARAMOUNT AS A MEANS OF ENFORCING TRIBAL LAWS AND TABOOS. TRIBAL PUNISHMENT ENSUES AS A SPONTANEOUS REACTION TO SERIOUS VIOLATIONS OF TRIBAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS, SUCH AS SUICIDE (PERCEIVED BY THE ISLANDERS BOTH AS A CRIME PER SE AND AS A MEANS OF ATONEMENT FOR OTHER CRIMES), INCEST (A CONCEPT EXTENDED TO SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH ANY MEMBER OF ONE'S CLAN), AND HOMICIDE (EXTREMELY RARE). EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATE THE CONCEPTS. --IN SPANISH. (LGR)