Authority Perception of the Groups Which Maintain Customs of Blood Feud and Honor Killing
Authority Perception of the Groups Which Maintain Customs of Blood Feud and Honor Killing

Summary/Abstract: Blood feuds and honor killings suggest a systematic and collective process of trial and punishment in tribal communities based on customary norms. Customary murders usually occur in tribal groups in which central authority is either weak or totally absent. In the former case, tribal people experience a conflict between norms of the central state and those of the local group. On the other hand, the acts of tribal groups violating legitimate legal and administrative system differ from similar unlawful acts, in that they are determined and justified by norms of the feudal group and they have been perpetrated deliberately and under the pressure of the group. In this paper, first, connection of customary murders with tribal communities has been examined. Then the reasons and motives that drive them to those practices at the expense of violating legal system and central authority are considered. It is seen that customary norms and “common honor and prestige” conception of tribal people form an identity and affiliation much more important than their allegiance to state. Accordingly, any attempt to remove those devestating practices should consider penetration of legitimate authority of the state especially by educational and informative methods.

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