1 168
2 When the membeis are assembled^ they all take their seats on die
3 bare gtowad, and the principal person present, after a short prayer,
4 repeats a Pushtoo verse, importing that Events are with God, but
5 deliberation is allowed to man." The accuser's story is then heard,
6 and if the defence is at variance with it, witnesses are called, and ex-
7 amined till all the facts are ascertained. If (as it is most common) the
8 accused admits the facts, but pleads circumstances in his justification,
9 the Jeerga inquires into the matter, and decides accord in^ to its
10 merits. TIilic is a pena!t\ fixed ibr each offence; except among the
11 Berdoovauuees, wiiere it is determined by tlie Jeerga.
12 It always includes a public and humble submission and apology,
13 and in serious cases, a certain number of young women from the
14 family of the criminal, are given m marriage to the person aggrieved
15 and his relations. *
16 A shew is always made of deliveiing up the criminal to the accuser,
17 end of giving him the dboioe of retaking, but it ia well nnderBtood
18 that he is to comply with the desire of the Jeerga, and to accept the
19 compensation decreed to him. After iriiich the parties are made to
20 inlute eadi other with the usual address of Salaum alalkum. Peace
21 beuntothee^and to partake of each otha^s hospitality; and in most
22 tribes, ibis reooncQiation ia coidial and permanent If the accused
23 leihae to attend, some tribes proceed with the causes and.decide e9&>
24 parte; but others either drag the reftactory penon to the Jeeiga, or
25 send MboiUaha to curse him, give up his pioperty to plunder, and ex-
26 * TUt laacliM orighiitai ia dw uspmm of pvrcka«ing a bride from bar &tber on
27 4|idinflry occH'imnR. Among the western Aff^hnuns, t}ie exjMatiLin of n nninl r is n:ade
28 1^ giving twelve joung women, six with poruoos, and ux wiLiiuut. The poituNi of
29 inong dM oooinoB ptopK fe ifatty Fbrcatdi^
30 off a hand, an ear, or a note, they give six women : for breaking a tooth, three women :
31 for a wound above the forehead one; a wound Ixilow tbe forehead (unless it take n vear to
32 beal), or any other small o£fenoe, is expiated by apologies and subnus&ion. Among the
33 man^ Ai^^unns, fewer yoaii|f waoMn are given, and wan noMyi aad <pi IIm iribfll%
34 the penalty i«i liclitoi'. Thirrr nrp rqiiivalcnrs for the wonm fixed IB MMMft irfdrfl tflS
35 penon to whom compensaUoo is awarded, may take ii' be please.
36 i
37 I
38 % I
39 Digitized by Google