Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-06-22
ARABIAN OF BLOOD REVENGE.

ARAB LAW OF BLUDD - H1sUhs
One of the most remarkable laws in force among
the wandering Arabs, and probably Of the high
est antiquity, is the law of blood called the
Thar, prescribing the degrees OF consanguinity
within which it is lawful to revenge ahomicide.
Although law rendering man responsible or
blood shed by any one related to hmwlthin the
fifth degree may appear to members Of civil
lied community one Of extraordinary rigor and
involving almost manifest injustice, 1T must nev-
ertheless be admitted, that no power vested in
any one individual. and no pnnisSnent, however
severe, could tend more to thchlrftsn OF
order and prevention of bloodshed amongst the
wild tribes OF the desert. As Durkhardt has
Justly remarked-"T Thissalutary institution has
contributed in a greater degree than any other
circumstance, to prevent the warllSe tribes OF
Arabi. from exterminatng on, another fla
man commit homicide, the cadi endeayors to
prevail upon the family Of the victim to accept
a compensation for the blood in money or in
kind, the amount being regulated according to
custom in different tribes. ShoaH the offer of
" blood money be refused, the Thar comes in
to operation, and any person within the
" khomse, or the fifth degree of blood of Che
homicide, may be legally killed by any one with
in the same degree Of conSanguinity to the VIC
tim This law is enforced between tribes re-
mote from one another, as well as between fam
lilies; and to the blood revenge may be attribu-
ted many of the bitter feuds which exist among
the Arab clans. 1t effects, in many respects
their social condition, and has marked inhu-
encc upon their habits and even upon their man
ners Thus an Arab will never tell bis name,
especially if it be an uncommon one, to stran-
ger nor mention that Of his father or his tribe,
if his own name be ascertained, lest there be u
Thar between them. Even the children are
taught to observe this custom, that they may
not fall victims to blood revenge Hence the
extreme suspicion with which a Bedoun regards
stranger in the open country, or in tent, and
his caution in disclosing anything relating to
the movements or dwelling place of his friends.
In most encampments are found refugees, some
times whole families, who have left their tribe
on account of a homicide for which they are
amenable In case after murder, pcrsons
within the Thar take to flight, three days and
four hours are by immemorial custom allowed
to the fugitives before they can be pursued
Frequently they never return to their friends
but remain with those who give them protcc
tlon ana oecolue mcorporatcu filto tho tri',c "
which they are adopted. Thus there are families
of Harb, Aneyza, Dholyr, and other great clans
WHO .or this cause have Joined the Shammar
and are now considered part of them. FIRE.
quently the homicide will wander from tent tc
tent over the desert, or even rove through tht
towns and villages on its borders, with u chair
round his neck and in rags, begging contribu-
tons from the charitable to enable him to pa,
the apportioned blood-money. have frequent
ly met such unfortunate rsons who have sptn
years in collecting a small sum.--Loyard
Rams Of Ninereh.