CRIME AND PUNISHMENT AMONG THE BARAMA RIVER CARIB OF BRITISH GUIANA 1

Abstract

The Carib, in common with many primitive groups, lack written law, judges, courts, police and centralized authority. Even the headmen of the small communities of 15-60 individuals, though selected for personality, economic power and physical strength, have only a limited authority and no power to enforce orders. Offenses are divided into those against spiritual powers, e.g., breaking tabus, which are automatically punished by the spirits, and offenses against human beings. In the latter, law and justice are purely personal, except when an individual by repeated offenses becomes a public nuisance or public menace, in which case he is subjected to group ostracism and violence. The most serious offenses are homicide, poisoning, sorcery, theft, and adultery. Homicide, poisoning, and sorcery may, however, be used in retaliation for similar offenses, and are then not regarded as crimes. There is a distinction between deliberate offenses and accidents traceable to supernatural causes and therefore not punishable. The victim of an offense may resort to poisoning, sorcery, violence or Kanaima, i.e., may become a member of a mysterious jungle cult devoted to revenge. The group may resort to violence, ostracism, and exile. Sorcerers of several types are supposed to have much to do with the production of crime as well as with discovering criminals and counteracting their efforts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved)