Sassywood

Sassywood is a form of trial by ordeal in use in Liberia.[1][2] There are various types of ordeal. The principal one involves the drinking of a poisonous concoction made of the bark of the tree Erythrophleum suaveolens.[1][2]

There are other forms of ordeal also described as "sassywood". Some that have been described involve the rubbing of a red-hot machete on the legs of suspects,[3] or dipping the suspect's hand into hot oil.[4]

A poison drink ordeal of the same name has also been reported in neighboring Sierra Leone.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 "Liberian Justice System". PRI. February 22, 2007. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
  2. 1 2 Leeson, P. T.; Coyne, C. J. (2012). "Sassywood" (PDF). Journal of Comparative Economics 40 (4): 608. doi:10.1016/j.jce.2012.02.002.
  3. ↑ "Controversial Practices: Trial by Ordeal in Liberia". Voice of America. October 31, 2009. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
  4. ↑ "Plunge your hand into hot oil: the 'sassywood man' and trial by ordeal". The Namibian. 28 November 2005. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
  5. ↑ Fenrich, Jeanmarie, ed. (2011). The Future of African Customary Law. Cambridge University Press. p. 176. ISBN 978-0521118538.


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