ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the operation of such social controls as did function among the Chiga. The essence of Chiga legal procedure is the action of the offended party, whether to right an injury by retaliation, or to compel payment of an obligation. In such a society as this, structured strongly along patrilineal kin lines, there is, of course, considerable difference between offences committed within the lineage and those affecting outsiders. Offences within the group have to be settled right there. No person external to it can have any other than a conciliatory role. A household in particular stands united and independent. When an offender is a member of another group, whole kin-group of the person who is injured may enter the fray. If a man is caught with a girl in suspicious circumstances, all her brothers and cousins will chase him and try to spear him. If a thief is caught in act, everyone will join the attack on him.
