Chapter
7:
Case
studies
in
Sana’a
basin
7.1.4
C:
Dispute
regulation
mechanisms
“The
real
war
is
the
war
of
feasts-‐
Alharb
harb
Almawa’ed”
is
a
local
saying
indicating
how
costly
it
can
get
to
host
arbitrators.
Local
tribal
sheiks
from
Bani
Seham
intervened
between
the
two
villages.
They
convinced
the
parties
to
stop
fighting
and
to
embark
70
upoan
arbitration.
The
conflicting
parties
choose
three
sheikhs
from
Bani
Seham
to
act
as
arbiters.
They
initiated
the
arbitration
process
by
taking
Adal
or
guarantees
from
both
sides.
In
tribal
customary
law,
the
purpose
of
the
Adal
is
to
show
commitment
from
conflict
and
a
desire
to
abide
by
the
verdict
of
the
arbiter(s).
The
Adal
consisted
of
65
machine
guns
and
a
million
Yemeni
Rials
from
each
side.
Furthermore,
the
arbiters
along
with
their
armed
guards
became
guests,
alternating
between
the
two
conflict
parties.
Each
host
would
slaughter
a
cow
and
at
least
5
goats
a
day
whilst
hosting
them.
In
tribal
traditions,
conflicting
parties
have
to
pay
hospitality
to
the
arbiters.
It
is
a
way
to
appreciate
their
help,
but
also
to
push
the
parties
to
settle
the
conflict
quickly
to
reduce
expenses.
In
general,
people
think
that
crimes
should
be
solved
through
the
customary
rules
laid
down
by
the
Mashaikhs.
Therefore,
they
do
not
perceive
the
need
to
go
to
court.
There
are
customary
rules,
which
regulate
cases
involving
mutual
killing,
although
it
is
difficult.
Revenge
killing
is
the
only
single
problem
that
is
very
difficult
for
Urf
to
resolve.
There
are
no
specific
rules
except
blood-‐money,
which
is
rejected
most
of
the
time
because
it
is
a
big
shame
for
a