Thursday, November 04, 2004
Mock Hangings
In St Vincent and the Grenadines like most other islands social irregularities are handled by the courts. However,as part of Vincentian tradition the people take it upon themselves to handle such irregularities and one way is by mock hanging. The popular hangings are those involving sexual molestation of persons by relatives and of animals. Naturally,the offender is then subjected to much ridicule.
Prior to the hangings the crime is reported to a committee and investigations carried out. The "police" then file a case and the offender is given a name. For example a man accused of molesting his daughter or stepdaughter may be called "Father Habit".The case is then taken to the court which is usually a Community Centre.Preliminary hearing in the manner a normal court and High Court is heard here,Of course judges, magistrates,witnesses and policemen are all present with names intended to amuse.
Following preliminary hearings the case moves to the high Court. Sometimes the first hearing can go on for a few days.Actually the entire trial may span a few weeks.In High Court, there is a 12 member jury and an admission fee is collected. Questioning is very detailed as the objective is to ensure that the evidence is strong enough to guarantee a guilty verdict.In all cases the accused is found guilty and sentenced to be hanged.There is no Privy Court to appeal to.
Hanging is always done on a moonlight light.Two bodies are made-one representing the condemned and the other the victim.The body of the condemned is made in such a way that whenthe rope is tugged, the head would be instantly detached from the body. After,the hanging the body is burnt to ash and then it is party time until the wee hours of the morning.
While this is largely a humourous event it is also a way of society showing disapproval of the actions of its citizens.However,like most indigenous things the practice seems to be dying. Lots of older folks claimed it acted as a restraint to those who were inclined to be deviant.The jury is yet to return a verdict on this claim.
Prior to the hangings the crime is reported to a committee and investigations carried out. The "police" then file a case and the offender is given a name. For example a man accused of molesting his daughter or stepdaughter may be called "Father Habit".The case is then taken to the court which is usually a Community Centre.Preliminary hearing in the manner a normal court and High Court is heard here,Of course judges, magistrates,witnesses and policemen are all present with names intended to amuse.
Following preliminary hearings the case moves to the high Court. Sometimes the first hearing can go on for a few days.Actually the entire trial may span a few weeks.In High Court, there is a 12 member jury and an admission fee is collected. Questioning is very detailed as the objective is to ensure that the evidence is strong enough to guarantee a guilty verdict.In all cases the accused is found guilty and sentenced to be hanged.There is no Privy Court to appeal to.
Hanging is always done on a moonlight light.Two bodies are made-one representing the condemned and the other the victim.The body of the condemned is made in such a way that whenthe rope is tugged, the head would be instantly detached from the body. After,the hanging the body is burnt to ash and then it is party time until the wee hours of the morning.
While this is largely a humourous event it is also a way of society showing disapproval of the actions of its citizens.However,like most indigenous things the practice seems to be dying. Lots of older folks claimed it acted as a restraint to those who were inclined to be deviant.The jury is yet to return a verdict on this claim.
# posted by Abeni @ 1:50 PM 
Comments:
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Sounds like the sheer embarassment of it all would probably deter people from such activities but today is a different day and some things that used to embarass us no longer do or not as much
Hey Abeni, sounds like a very interesting tradition still--very, very entertaining in fact. *Sigh* I guess you're right still, much of the old traditions are dying out and getting replaced by other things that may not be as culturally moving. Oh well, c'est la vie...I suppose. But I've made up my mind to try my darndest to maintain these traditions with my kids (whenever I find the wife, settle down, and start producing!). BTW, I added you to my blogroll, hope you don't mind.
{arf,arf}
{arf,arf}
Hi Abeni, very interesting. I feel lots of Caribbean traditions are being lost to the American influence that is sweeping through our countries...certainly here in Jamaica. I think it is the younger generation that is most affected by this. Anyhow, I found the post quite entertaining. Dr. D.
# posted by 
: 9:14 PM
: 9:14 PM
AD..No problem at all.Sadly all the traditions dying out.We would have to tall our children about these things
Interesting... In Jamaica, the offender would have been beaten by the crowd, for real, and it would not have been very funny. In many of those cases the offender dies, in other cases they get quite badly "bruckup bruckup". For a child molester, I think I prefer the Jamaican method still... Consider yourself blogrolled.
Thus spake Mad Bull.
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Thus spake Mad Bull.
# posted by : 12:25 PM
: 12:25 PM << Home
