John Ayotunde Isola Bewaji is professor in the Department of Language, Linguistics and Philosophy at the University of the West Indies, Mona.

John Bewaji’s The Rule of Law and Governance in Indigenous Yoruba Society grounds legal philosophy inescapably within its cultural context, contrary to conventional Western legal philosophy that, in the name of reason or science, is deceptively projected as culture-free. The book makes significant contribution to the decolonization of legal philosophy and ought to be read by every serious student of legal Philosophy. Although the book focuses on legal philosophy in the Yoruba community, it has relevance to legal philosophy in other African communities and beyond. Like other African communities, the Yoruba community has been the victim of epistemicide—a term Bewaji uses to describe systematic eradication of indigenous knowledge systems. According to Bewaji, indigenous Yoruba culture has a basis for generating a sound foundation for law and its rule. There is no need to wait for foreign missionaries to provide legal philosophy. Furthermore, because of its connection with governance, indigenous Yoruba notion of law and its rule provide a criterion for good governance. Bewaji articulates this criterion to critique governance in Nigeria today and, by extension, governance in Africa. He uses the same criterion to challenge the legal philosophy that the liberal Western modernity has attempted to impose on Africans. His book is worth the attention of those who have an interest in exploring modern juridical encounter between Africans and Westerners, and those who are interested in successful governance in Africa.

• IntroductionChapter 1The Social Contract - the Foundation of Yoruba Society Chapter 2The Concept of Law in Yoruba SocietyChapter 3The Rule of Law in Yoruba SocietyChapter 4Aspects of Legal Education in Yoruba SocietyChapter 5Parallel Epistemologies, Parallel Justice Systems in YorubalandChapter 6Human Rights in Yoruba SocietyChapter 7Religion, Authority, Law and Order in Yoruba SocietyChapter 8Social Ethics and Value in AfricaChapter 9Law, Order, Esu and Liminality in Yoruba SocietyChapter 10Culture, Property Rights and Risk Management in AfricaConclusion

John Ayotunde Isola Bewaji is professor in the Department of Language, Linguistics and Philosophy at the University of the West Indies, Mona.

John Bewaji’s The Rule of Law and Governance in Indigenous Yoruba Society grounds legal philosophy inescapably within its cultural context, contrary to conventional Western legal philosophy that, in the name of reason or science, is deceptively projected as culture-free. The book makes significant contribution to the decolonization of legal philosophy and ought to be read by every serious student of legal Philosophy. Although the book focuses on legal philosophy in the Yoruba community, it has relevance to legal philosophy in other African communities and beyond. Like other African communities, the Yoruba community has been the victim of epistemicide—a term Bewaji uses to describe systematic eradication of indigenous knowledge systems. According to Bewaji, indigenous Yoruba culture has a basis for generating a sound foundation for law and its rule. There is no need to wait for foreign missionaries to provide legal philosophy. Furthermore, because of its connection with governance, indigenous Yoruba notion of law and its rule provide a criterion for good governance. Bewaji articulates this criterion to critique governance in Nigeria today and, by extension, governance in Africa. He uses the same criterion to challenge the legal philosophy that the liberal Western modernity has attempted to impose on Africans. His book is worth the attention of those who have an interest in exploring modern juridical encounter between Africans and Westerners, and those who are interested in successful governance in Africa.

• IntroductionChapter 1The Social Contract - the Foundation of Yoruba Society Chapter 2The Concept of Law in Yoruba SocietyChapter 3The Rule of Law in Yoruba SocietyChapter 4Aspects of Legal Education in Yoruba SocietyChapter 5Parallel Epistemologies, Parallel Justice Systems in YorubalandChapter 6Human Rights in Yoruba SocietyChapter 7Religion, Authority, Law and Order in Yoruba SocietyChapter 8Social Ethics and Value in AfricaChapter 9Law, Order, Esu and Liminality in Yoruba SocietyChapter 10Culture, Property Rights and Risk Management in AfricaConclusion

John Ayotunde Isola Bewaji is professor in the Department of Language, Linguistics and Philosophy at the University of the West Indies, Mona.

John Bewaji’s The Rule of Law and Governance in Indigenous Yoruba Society grounds legal philosophy inescapably within its cultural context, contrary to conventional Western legal philosophy that, in the name of reason or science, is deceptively projected as culture-free. The book makes significant contribution to the decolonization of legal philosophy and ought to be read by every serious student of legal Philosophy. Although the book focuses on legal philosophy in the Yoruba community, it has relevance to legal philosophy in other African communities and beyond. Like other African communities, the Yoruba community has been the victim of epistemicide—a term Bewaji uses to describe systematic eradication of indigenous knowledge systems. According to Bewaji, indigenous Yoruba culture has a basis for generating a sound foundation for law and its rule. There is no need to wait for foreign missionaries to provide legal philosophy. Furthermore, because of its connection with governance, indigenous Yoruba notion of law and its rule provide a criterion for good governance. Bewaji articulates this criterion to critique governance in Nigeria today and, by extension, governance in Africa. He uses the same criterion to challenge the legal philosophy that the liberal Western modernity has attempted to impose on Africans. His book is worth the attention of those who have an interest in exploring modern juridical encounter between Africans and Westerners, and those who are interested in successful governance in Africa.

• IntroductionChapter 1The Social Contract - the Foundation of Yoruba Society Chapter 2The Concept of Law in Yoruba SocietyChapter 3The Rule of Law in Yoruba SocietyChapter 4Aspects of Legal Education in Yoruba SocietyChapter 5Parallel Epistemologies, Parallel Justice Systems in YorubalandChapter 6Human Rights in Yoruba SocietyChapter 7Religion, Authority, Law and Order in Yoruba SocietyChapter 8Social Ethics and Value in AfricaChapter 9Law, Order, Esu and Liminality in Yoruba SocietyChapter 10Culture, Property Rights and Risk Management in AfricaConclusion