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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The Camel Trust System in the Rendille Society of Northern Kenya
Author:Sato, ShunISNI
Year:1991
Periodical:African Study Monographs
Volume:13
Issue:2
Pages:69-89
Language:English
Geographic term:Kenya
Subjects:social structure
Rendille
customary law
land law
camels
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
External link:https://jambo.africa.kyoto-u.ac.jp/kiroku/asm_normal/abstracts/pdf/ASM%20%20Vol.13%20No.2%201992/Shun%20SATO.pdf
Abstract:The Rendille live in the southern part of Marsabit district, northern Kenya. Their way of life is herding, involving mainly camels and small stock. They frequently transfer these livestock among each other. The camels are classified as either the personal camel ('alal') or the trust camel ('maal'). This paper is concerned with the trust camel system and its place within Rendille social structure. First, the clan and age systems of the Rendille are examined. Next, attention is paid to the legal ownership of camels. Among the Rendille, only males are vested with the legal ownership of camels. Upon a father's death, his first son inherits the camels. Trust camels are those female camels which are entrusted to other Rendille. The trustee is not vested with ownership, but holds the usufruct rights to the milk, blood, and male offspring. Camels are obligatorily transferred on occasions related to the family-developmental cycle. Camels are voluntarily transferred regardless of the family-developmental cycle either as a pledge of friendship or as a form of self-assertion. Finally, the fundamental rules of the camel trust system are described, including the credit and debt of the trust camel, camel markings and names, the sublease of trust camels, and the cancellation of trust relations. The paper shows that the general transaction of camels is mutually binding and maintains the well-being of the Rendille. Bibliogr., sum.
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