POSITION OF THE CHIEF 313 



comprehends the why and wherefore of the decision 

 given, and is not compelled to accept blindly a 

 dictum he cannot understand. 



From the glimpses we have obtained of the 

 condition of the people as described in the earlier 

 chapters of this book, it will have been clear that 

 a century or two ago the tribal organisation of the 

 natives, even though the influence of the European 

 was already beginning to make itself seriously felt, 

 was still very strong, as the disastrous wars with 

 the Bongas at the beginning of the nineteenth 

 century sufficiently prove. Throughout the 

 country large numbers of people could be gathered 

 together at short notice to fight for or defend the 

 interests of the chieftain by whom they were swayed. 

 This potentate throughout his dominions — in some 

 cases very extensive — possessed supreme power, 

 some of which, but not much, was delegated to his 

 headmen, who were responsible for the allegiance 

 and well-being of the various villages. The govern- 

 ment of the paramount chief was supported by 

 heavy penalties for all sorts of small offences, and 

 in the remoter portions of his kingdom, where he 

 seldom came, his name was one to inspire awe. 

 He united in his own person all the attributes of 

 the most unredeemed autocracy. Not only was 

 he the ruler, but also the chief justice, and all 

 grave disputes were referred to him, his decision 

 being regarded as absolutely final. 



The insecurity consequent upon such conditions 

 as these, both to European interests and to the 

 peace of the country, is at once apparent. It 

 became necessary gradually but surely to re- 



