Crime, Justice and Culture in Black Africa

Abstract

Crime in Black Africa, and the public's reaction to it, has come to be seen as inherent in the economic, political and cultural development of the African nations. However, the study of crime, and how the governments and people respond to it, is very difficult and complex in this changing milieu. This is due to the fact that the traditionnal African concept of law and justice is in constant conflict with that of the new penal codes, judicial procedures and social defense policies, wich are based more on western "models" than on indigenious ancestral practices.