Tribal Law and Restoring Peace in Society: The Case of ‘Al-jala’ in Jordan
Madalla A. Alibeli, Karen Kopera-Frye

Abstract
This paper explores the parameters of a traditional Bedouin legal practice called al-jala (tribal banishment). Aljala (banishment) has been around for centuries and has strived to restore peace to a community disrupted by the commission of a murder or honor crime. The century-old practice is arranged by the elders through tribal law and requires the offending party, and his co-liable group of relatives, to leave the community where the crime was committed and live in another traditional enemy community. In this way, the offending party and his family are psychologically and physically punished as a collective whole. The paper will describe al-jala by explaining its liability, time, place, duration, and functions. Also, the paper will discuss the effect of rapid social change on aljala and provides relevant recommendations to deal with this old tradition in a 21st century society.

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