Une « Constitution » autochtone africaine chez les Rwa du mont Meru (Tanzanie)

Abstract

Facing Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the mountain farmers of Mount Meru, the Rwa, listed their customs after colonization in a written document (marriage payments and fines in particular). This list was completed over time, adapting fine rates and in order to keep in touch with the evolution of morals, as regards female rights especially. This collection of «laws» was labelled «Constitution» in 2010. It is at the same time an identity manifesto, a political treaty and a register of customary laws, which demonstrates a vivid concern to keep in touch with modern times. The circumstances which led first to create this document and its successive versions are described and analyzed.

Keywords

• Tanzania
• Mount Meru
• Rwa
• Customary law
• Modernity