Mock Funeral in Egyptian Village to Prevent Involuntary Manslaughter from Turning into Blood Vengeance Feud

Following are excerpts from a TV program about a new method for avoiding blood vengeance in Egypt, which aired on Al-Mihwar TV on November 15, 2008.

TV host: A new method of reconciliation between two families was invented in a village in the Assyut district. The family of the victim asked the family of the killer to place one of its children in a coffin, and parade him around the village, for a distance of about 200 meters. In other words, it was meant as a symbolic funeral to beg forgiveness. We have the following report by Muhammad Hakim.

Muhammad Hakim, reporter: A new, strange, and provocative custom has been born in Upper Egypt. Until now, reconciliation in cases of blood vengeance would be achieved when the killer would go to the victim's family, carrying his own shrouds in his hands. This time, the family of Hassan Abu 'Ita from the Ballut village refused to be reconciled this way. They insisted that a member of the killer's family be carried over to them in a coffin, in a real funeral procession. After deliberation, the killer's family accepted this request, and performed this dramatic display, which was attended by many, as well as by security personnel.

[...]

As important as the circumstances of the killing and reconciliation efforts may be, they are not the main event. The families of both the killer and the victim were occupied with the new ceremony.

The killer's father: If they had requested anything more, I would have refused. I agreed because he was a broken man. His son was killed.

The victim's father: We asked for several things, and they consented. We said that if they would march from the village mosque to Aswan, we would forgive them.

Muhammad Hakim: The people of Upper Egypt, who have suffered more than others from the woes of blood vengeance, had different views about turning reconciliation into a real funeral.

Villager: This is the first time in history. I am 100 years old, and I tell you such a thing has never happened.

Second villager: If people get it into their heads that such a thing could happen to them, there is no way that they would kill or beat someone.

Third villager: The old system was better, but this is educational for all people.

Fourth villager: Anything that prevents further bloodshed between families is better. It doesn't matter if it's old or new, as long as it prevents the spilling of blood.

Hakim: Muhammad Hakim, 90 Minutes, Al-Mihwar TV.