From burying kings with live humans to exacting justice by drinking poison; here are four customs of ancient Ghana Empire

Justice System

Al-Idrisi points that the ancient Ghana king went out every day on his horse and commanded everyone who had suffered injustice or misfortune to come before him and stay there until the wrong was remedied. Trial by sasswood or fetish was also practiced.

“When a man is accused of denying a debt or having shed blood or some other crime,” testifies Al-Bakri, “a headman takes a thin piece of wood, which is sour and bitter to taste and pours upon it some water which he then gives to the defendant to drink. If the man vomits, his innocence is recognized and he is congratulated. If he does not vomit and the drink remains in his stomach, the accusation is accepted as justified.”