Customary tenure

Customary tenure is a traditional landholding system where land is held according to local customs, practices, or oral agreements rather than formal legal documents. It’s commonly found in rural or indigenous communities, where land rights are recognized based on longstanding usage, community acknowledgment, or social arrangements. Under customary tenure, ownership and transfer of land are managed by local leaders or customary laws, rather than formal property registration. This system promotes community stability and respects local traditions, but it may lack formal legal protections compared to statutory land titles, often resulting in complexities around land rights and tenure security.