Kasu/22/IRD/1211
Anarchy Pre-colonial Criminal Justice in West Africa:
“Eurocentric Thought versus
Africentric Evidence” examines the differences between European
misconception interpretations of pre-colonial African
perpetuated by criminal justice systems and the
Eurocentric thought, actual practices and principles used in
which ignored the West Africa before colonisation
realities of pre-
colonial African societies
attributed to Eurocentric thought Africentric evidence
Hegel Diop
“Primitive,” “lawless” and Sophisticated justice system e.g
“uncivilised” Songhai empire
Historians &
Philosohers
Millar Walker
Portrays colonialism as African cultures and traditions
bringing civilisation and order are rich and valuable
Fosters a negative view of
Robert
African cultures and traditions
Ignores or downplays Colonialism disrupted and destroyed
indigenous justice system Indigenous justice system
The author contends that these systems
were often disrupted to destroyed by
Overemphasises European Indigenous systems emphasized community, colonialism, leading to the imposition
contributions to global development restitution, rehabilitation, and. reconciliation of Eurocentric legal systems
In uential Muslims scholars and merchants
Through the process of Eurocentric
Pro-colonialist propaganda people
have been, and continue to be, led to
assume that the European colonialists
Abu Abdullah Abu Abd Allah
brought criminal justice and law & order
Al- Bakr Muhammad Al- ldrisi
to Africa
(1014-1094) (1099-1166)
wrote the book wrote the book
“Kitab Al-Masalik “Kitab Al-Rawd
wa’ Imamalik” al- Mitar”
(Books of Roads (Book of pleasant journey
and kingdom) into faraway lands) This article challenges these
assumptions by using the work of
scholars of African history to highlight
- Document and share knowledge about the the existence of criminal justice systems
world’s geography, cultures, and trade routes in Africa, in particular pre-colonial
- Facilitate cultural exchange and understanding west Africa
between different regions and civilization
- Provide valuables information for merchants,
travelers, and policy makers
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