Newguest  +  940843 Tue, 13 Oct 09 06:22 PM  Hi   The elders make most important decisions, and therefore have some authority, but the rest of the tribe are free to disagree with them. As Lawlor writes, “Beyond the kinship convention, no other law enforcement is required in Aboriginal society…Tribal elders receive great respect, but they do not have an authoritarian or judicial role.” In the absence of a legal system, when conflicts between individuals or groups do occur they are usually settled at an open forum, where the disputing parties sit together and air their grievances. --- Actually I have a problem with the whole part in bold. How to say that in a different/clearer way??? I understand that a kinship convention means some kind of family relation? Newguest Joined on Sun, Feb 25 2007 Senior Member 2,098

	AlpheccaStars  +  941261 Wed, 14 Oct 09 01:38 AM Kinship means an extended family relationship. I've never heard of the phrase "kinship convention." Perhaps it refers to an idea that the closer (or stronger) the blood relationship, and the older the person, the more influence they have in setting the mores, laws and standards of the tribe or enforcing them by doling out punishment for offences. But this is only an educated guess!   AlpheccaStars Joined on Sun, Oct 12 2008 Senior Member 3,508 The pen is mightier than the sword. Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) Relationships