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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | The institution of Kithitu and question of human justice among the Akamba |
Author: | Ndeti, K. |
Year: | 1971 |
Periodical: | Journal of Eastern African Research and Development |
Volume: | 1 |
Issue: | 1 |
Pages: | 69-76 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Kenya |
Subjects: | Kamba customary law criminal law |
Abstract: | Describes the process and content of the Kithitu ritual and its relevance in the Akamba social structure. Kithitu, which means 'principal source', i.e. that from which everything else proceeds, is a sort of amulet, struck by the plaintiff if he takes the oath, and supposed to destroy the offending party. Kithitu, which has a wide application in the Akamba culture, is a powerful instrument of social control, insofar as not only the parties in direct conflict, but also the lineage is collectively affected, which promotes collective responsibility. Besides this, Kithitu acts as a reductive element of swindle in many legal cases. Notes, ref. |