illages,
each of which last possesses an independent chief. The
villages are scattered; are often moved for death or
witchcraft, as I have already explained in the narrative;
and not infrequently are engaged in war with each other.

"The chieftainship is, to a certain extent, hereditary, the
right of succession vesting in the brother of the reigning
chief or king. The people, however, and particularly the
elders of the village, have a veto power, and can, for
sufficient cause, deprive the lineal heir of his succession,
and put in over him some one thought of more worth. In such
cases the question is put to the vote of the village; and,
where parties are equally divided as to strength, there
ensue sometimes long and serious palavers before all can
unite in a choice. The chief is mostly a man of great
influence prior to his accession, and generally an old man
when he gains power.

"His authority, though greater than one would think, judging
from the little personal deference paid to him, is final
only in matters of every-day use. In cases of importance,
such as war, or any important removal, the elders of the
village meet together and deliberate in the presence of the
whole population, which last finally decide the question.

"The elders, who possess other authority, and are always in
the counsels of the chief, are the oldest members of
important families in the village. Respect is paid to them
on account of their years, but more from a certain regard
for 'family,' which the African has very strongly wherever I
have known him. These families form the aristocracy."[73]

Here are democracy and aristocracy blended somewhat. The king's power
seems to be in deciding everyday affairs, while the weighty matters
which affect the whole tribe are decided by the elders and the people.
Mr. Reade says of such government,--

"Among these equatorial tribes the government is
patriarchal, which is almost equivalent to saying that there
is no government at all. The tribes are divided into clans.
Each clan inhabits a separate village, or group of villages;
and at the head of each is a patriarch, the parody of a
king. They are distinguished from the others by the
grass-woven cap which they wear on their heads, and by the
staff which they carry in their hand