The Customary Law of the Akele Guzai Muslims [the Saho]

This book presents the first English translation of the Saho customary law in Eritrea, with an introduction discussing the historical and socio-cultural background of the Saho community and the role of traditional conflict mediation in contemporary Eritrea. The law has a strong communal character and rules both economic activities and social life. It was orally transmitted from generation to generation and printed in 1943, of which only one copy is known. It is based on local traditional and Islamic law and its principles are respected up to the present day. The volume is a significant contribution to the study of Eritrean customary law, which presents an important cultural heritage.