口头法与非洲传统法律文化

非洲大陆由于长期存在的非文字文化的影响,习惯法的生成途径大多离不开口耳相传。“口头非洲法”(O ral A frican Law)的创制方式依创制的主体不同,可以分为个体创制和群体创制两种形式,并且因口头法创制的主体不同,其程序和权威也有异。在无文字或不注重文字的口头文化背景下,口头法在表现形式上重口头程序,强调外在仪式,流传“誓言”与“神判”。口头非洲法是非洲传统社会极为重要的元素,它的存续是非洲法律文化得以长期存在的重要原因,非洲法律文化正是因其浓郁的口头性而具有顽强的生命力。

Oral African Law and Traditional Legal Culture

African continent has been influenced by the culture of no written language for a long time,so the ways of customary law coming into being mostly depend on passing from mouth to mouth.The creation mode of Oral African Law is different because the creation subject is different.There are two kinds of mode: individual creation and group creation.Besides,the procedure and the authority are also different because of diversity subject.At the oral cultural background of no written words or paying little attention to the written words,the Oral African Law pays much attention to oral procedure on the presentation form,stresses on external ceremony,hands down oath and trial by ordeal.The Oral African Law is the most critical element of traditional society of Africa,the existence and continuous function of Oral Law is the most important reason why African legal culture can exist for so long.Because of its strong oral trait,African legal culture has indomitable life force.