The Babemba Tribe and Delinquent Behavior

When a person acts irresponsibly or unjustly, he/she is placed in the center of the village, alone ... All gather around the accused individual ... Then each person of every age, begins to talk out loud to the accused. One at a time, each person tells all the good things the one in the center ever did in his/her lifetime.  Every incident, every experience that can be recalled with any detail and accuracy, is recounted. The tribal ceremony often lasts several days, not ceasing until everyone is drained.... Necessity for such ceremonies is rare!"

I've come across the story of the Babemba a number of times and in several places, (including the time I heard Dr. Wayne Dyer tell it--on Public Television, I think.) I've tried to track down the source, have been so far unsuccessful, and may just let it go at that. Source or not--fable, history, or a bit of each--I've found the story inspiring.

The Babemba tribe of southern Africa has a social structure with an elementary criminal code. Their close community living makes harshness unnecessary. A visitor was deeply impressed by the tribe's handling of antisocial, delinquent behaviors, which are exceedingly infrequent. When a person acts irresponsibly or unjustly, he/she is placed in the center of the village, alone, unfettered. All work ceases. All gather around the accused individual. Then each person of every age, begins to talk out loud to the accused. One at a time, each person tells all the good things the one in the center ever did in his/her lifetime. Every incident, every experience that can be recalled with any detail and accuracy, is recounted. All positive attributes, good deeds, strengths, and kindnesses are recited carefully and at length. No one is permitted to fabricate, exaggerate or be facetious about accomplishments or positive aspects of the accused person. The tribal ceremony often lasts several days, not ceasing until everyone is drained of every positive comment that can be mustered. At the end, the tribal circle is broken, a joyous celebration takes place, and the person is symbolically and literally welcomed back into the tribe. Necessity for such ceremonies is rare!" Retrieved online from Friends of Peace Pilgrim, July 14, 2008: http://www.peacepilgrim.org/FoPP/newsletter/nl48/nl48pg1.htm