The Practice of Blood Feud in the Modern World: Continuing Research in the Vein of Criminal Anthropology

Abstract

This article is an introduction to the issue’s thematic section on “Blood Feud in the Context of Modernity: A Component of Traditional Culture and a Relic of Custom Law”, featuring contributions by A. Frenda, S.A. Sidneva, A.A. Novik, O.D. Fais-Leutskaia, and M.S.-G. Albogachieva. The authors venture into different regions of Europe (such as Crete, Sardinia, Sicily, the Balkans, and the Russian Caucasus) to explore the evolution and current state of this phenomenon which has its roots in the era of the tribal system. Drawing on own field materials, they examine the various manifestations of blood feud that have not been sufficiently studied from the anthropological perspective, despite the fact that they represent vital legal elements and forms of what is thought to be relics of customary law among a number of peoples, communities, and subcultures. Blood feud as a norm of ancient talion law is often closely linked to other relics of customary law, associated with local codes of morality and ethics, priorities of valor and courage, standards of behavior, etc. Following the regulations of blood feud is still perceived in some communities as the “highest” method of conflict resolution, a form of retribution and an act of restoring the dignity of the opposing parties and their social rehabilitation in the eyes of their own and others’ communities. At the same time, this phenomenon is becoming ideologized and even politicized in modern society. Therefore, it is important to analyze the current perception, interpretation, and reflection of this concept in the mentality of peoples and local ethnic groups that practice blood feuds.