Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Notes on Contributors
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- Part One The Nature and Future of Customary Law
- Part Two Ascertainment, Application, and Codification of Customary Law
- Part Three The Role and Power of Traditional Authorities
- Part Four Customary Land, Property Rights, and Succession
- Part Five Customary Criminal Law
- Part Six Customary Law, Human Rights, and Gender Equality
- Index
- References
Introduction
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 February 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Notes on Contributors
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- Part One The Nature and Future of Customary Law
- Part Two Ascertainment, Application, and Codification of Customary Law
- Part Three The Role and Power of Traditional Authorities
- Part Four Customary Land, Property Rights, and Succession
- Part Five Customary Criminal Law
- Part Six Customary Law, Human Rights, and Gender Equality
- Index
- References
Summary
Pluralism is part of the fabric of legal systems in most, if not all, African countries. The traditional institutions and customary law that regulated ancient civilizations and societies on the African continent have changed over the years to keep pace with historical events and the evolution that the continent has witnessed. Once the sole source of law, customary rules have had to adapt to significant change brought by colonial rule and then decolonization. In addition to customary law, most sub-Saharan African countries are now bound by domestic constitutional law, statutory law, and common law, as well as international and regional human rights treaties.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Future of African Customary Law , pp. 1 - 6Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2011
References
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