1 170 OTHER MODES OF ADJUSTING DISPUTES.
2 *
3 it convenient to Avail himself of the advice of a Jeeiga: this hwt ob^
4 sen ation applies to deliberations on all sulyecto, as well aa to the
5 trial of offences. Even where Jeeigas are in use, all crimes are not
6 brought before them. It u always reckoned an admission of weak-
7 ness to complain to a JeergSy and consequently less honourable than
8 to obtain Justice by force ; accordingly men of lank in the Ooloos8»
9 and powerful people (that is, people who have many xelati<His)» are
10 always unwilling to compromise an affront, and to agree to a recon-
11 ciliation, till the injuries on both sides are etjual. Tliis U carried so
12 far, that the injured party affects reluctance to be reconciled, even
13 when the affair has been brouf^ht to the Jeerga at his own request.
14 In many tribes, tlie Jeerga docs not interfere, until a complaint is
15 made to it ; and iu some, not till botli parties are persuaded to sub-
16 mit to its award ; but in others, the local chief assembles a Jeerga
17 whenever he hears of any serious ofieiice, and brings the parties be-
18 fore it.
19 In serious cases, sudi as murder, the ofi^nder often flies the coun-
20 try, but if he is unwilling to leave his tribe, he is sensible of the
21 danger he incurs by remaining, and determines to submit and obtain
22 forgiveness from the person he has injuretl. In that case, lie goes as a
23 suppliant to the house of some considerable man, and begs liim to in-
24 tercede, and procure his pardon. By the custom of the A%hauns, a
25 suppliant can seldom be refused, and the person applied to, is obliged
26 to agree. He assembles some other respectable moi, some MooUahs
27 and Syuds, and proceeds with the oflender to the house of theii\}iired
28 person, The whole of the party are now suppliants ; and, as they
29 oumot be refiised, the peraon oflended, if unwUling to make up the
30 quarrel, leaves his house before they arrive, or endeavours to conoeal
31 himsdfi When he is found, the criminal a|^peais dressed in a shroud,
32 puts a naked sword into the hand of his enemy, and teUs him that
33 hia life is in his power. At the same time the chieft and MnnJi^f
34 put themsdvea in an attitude of entreaty, and h^ foig^vencstf for
35 the suppliant. It ends in the uyured pefsoniiaidoQing the ikflbnoe^
36 wnd reoeivuig a oompenaatibii* . .
37 Digitized by Google