A MODEL OF JUSTICE FROM SOUTH AFRICA
"In the Babemba tribe of South Africa, when a person
acts irresponsibly, unjustly or with disrespect toward themselves or others,
he/she is placed in the center of the village. All work ceases, and every man, woman and child in the
village gathers in a large circle around the accused individual.
Then each person in the tribe, regardless of age, begins to
talk out lout to the accused, one at a time, about all the good things the
person in the center of the circle had done
in his/her lifetime. Every incident, every experience that
can be recalled with any detail and accuracy is recounted. All his/her positive
attributes, good deeds, strengths and kindnesses are recited carefully and at
length. The ceremony often lasts for several days.
At the end, the circle is broken, a joyous celebration takes
place, and the person is symbolically and literally welcomed back in the tribe,
in touch with who they are and who they can be".
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