A look at the history of blood feuds and cultural elements that encourage the practice.
Written in 2004; 2,881 words; 9 sources; MLA; $ 85.95
Paper Summary:
This paper takes a close look at the practice of blood feuds, as well as the reasons they have survived throughout so many centuries. The paper suggests that such an analysis is an integral part of finding a solution to the practice. A complete outline of the paper is included, as well as an annotated bibliography.
From the Paper:
"Cultures which practice and teach their male generations the blood feud tradition define it as a "code of honour" (Weaver). Its supporters, or those who practice and believe in the ethics and morality of the blood feud tradition, view it as a form of absolute justice based on the right of the insulted or injured individual to obtain revenge from the person who injured or insulted him. In cases where injury leads to death, the blood feud system states that the murdered person's family must obtain justice through the killing of the murderer, or his next closest male relative ("Weaver). These definitions for the blood feud, and brief explanation of the system appear to demonstrate that it is based on revenge, not justice. Even more importantly, the practice of the blood feud, known as tacr in Arabic, begel in Ethiopia, and vendetta in Europe, defies laws and pushes societies into an ancient time of uncivilized and violent behaviour that does not respect human life, or even recognize the difference between guilt and innocence. As many Egyptians know, the blood feud tradition makes victims out of innocent people, and criminals out of young children. This is because, from a very young age, a male child whose family is involved in a blood feud is trained to hate the rival family, and to kill a member of it as soon as he is old enough to hold, and aim, a rifle. Upper Egyptians view this practice as an honorable one, thinking it an unacceptable sign of weakness, of lack of manhood, to wait for the law and the justice system to punish whomever has committed a crime against them. Urban Egyptians, however, take a more negative view of the practice, seeing it as an unacceptable disrespect of law and order, and for the rights of innocent people to live in safety and security without the constant fear of being murdered. Although it is easy to dismiss the blood feud system as a senseless and immoral one that has no place in modern or civilized society, the real problem is that its practicers do not view it in this negative way but as a matter of honour, pride and morality, further viewing the laws which make the practice illegal as illegitimate laws that must not be obeyed. As one Corsican saying says about the relationship between the blood feud, masculinity and the law, "Before the law made us citizens, great Nature made us men" (qtd. in Weaver). This saying truly summarizes the attitude towards the 'honorable' practice of blood feud in many societies that practice it, from Africa to Europe. An analysis of the blood feud system, the beliefs and traditions that are supporting it, and its consequence will demonstrate that it is a destructive practice that has to be eliminated for the protection of civilized society and the whole system of law and order. Although the blood feud system and tradition are deeply embedded in some cultures, it is necessary to achieve its elimination through laws and the re-education of males towards rejection of the practice, so as to save society and liberate its men."
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