It occasionally happens that a clan of the Akamba will come to the conclusion that a certain man is a thoroughly bad character and deserves public punishment, and it is then decided to punish him as follows: During the night his village is surrounded by a party of men, all of his clan, and a guard is placed on the door of his hut, while others seize one of his oxen and slay it. If the offense is very serious even a cow or more than one may be killed. If there are no cattle the party will kill a number of sheep and goats. The culprit is then dragged forth from his hut and beaten with fists, clubs, and anything handy and thrown down and trampled on. His wives will also be brought out and slapped and scratched. The children are not harmed.¹

¹Hobley, C.W.n/an/an/an/a, , 80 (Cambridge University Press. By permission).