Journal Entery

Date: August 8, 2007

Entery Number: 23

Page/Quote reflecting on: Pgs. 87-94

The Igbo way of settling disputes, like their court systems are pretty interesting. They don't have one judge but nine and they're not judges but important titled men who impersonate the nine ancestral spirits of the villages. They hear both sides of the story like regular judges do, and then they settle it by making a bargain with both parties. They don't praise or blame but simply settle the problems that are brought to them. It is actually very similar to todays court system but there are differences. No one dares to disobey the egwugwu's settlement because the nine spirits are greatly feared and respected. For some men that is the only way they will or won't do somethings. Sometimes the egwugwu give them alternate choices. Like for one of the men who beat his wife and his inlaws took her away, if he were to come back bringing a pot of wine, then she was suppose to go back with him. If he did not she would stay with her family. If he were to get her back and continue to beat her, then her family would come and cut off his genitals. So the guy was given a couple different choices. Today for most crimes, it's like do what we say or go to jail. Not many choices. I kind of like how they do things but it would take longer it seems.