Colonial and religious influences on customary law: the Cameroonian experiences

bibliographic database
Line

Periodical article

Title:	Colonial and religious influences on customary law: the Cameroonian experiences
Author:	Fisiy, Cyprian Fonyuy
Year:	1988
Periodical:	Africa: rivista trimestrale di studi e documentazione
Volume:	43
Issue:	2
Pages:	262-275
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Cameroon
Subjects:	social change Bamenda customary law
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/40760256
Abstract:	This paper examines the customary law system of the centralized societies of the Bamenda Grassland kingdoms of Cameroon. A review of the basic concepts of Bamenda customary law is followed by a discussion of foreign influences, which eventually led to the development of a new synthetic African law, reflecting more of the European than of the African past. A distinction is made between colonial influences - procedural and substantive changes - and religious influences, particularly of Islam and Christianity. The systematic study of customary law is advocated in order to achieve an integration of the diverse legal heritage of the country. Notes, ref.