ABSTRACT
Barϊimta was a method of dispute resolution sanctioned by adat that involved the driving away of another nomad’s livestock by an offended party, usually accompanied by members of his kinship group or aul, in order to force the fair settlement of a conflict. The livestock was kept by the offended side until agreement was reached, at which time it was either returned in full, or kept as the just amount of the claim against the offense. Although almost always practiced in this way, banmta could also be exercised as the abduction of a woman or confiscation of property from an aul, for in general, it signified a claim to justice or a challenge to honor using property as ransom for what was owed.
