POLITICAL HEADS CHIEFS, KINGS, ETC. 341 



whose spittle and touch were said to have curative pro 

 perties. 



Thus one important factor in the genesis of political head 

 ship, originates with the ghost theory, and the concomitant 

 rise of a belief that some men, Laving acquired power over 

 ghosts, can obtain their aid. Generally the chief and the 

 medicine-man are separate persons; and there then exists 

 between them some conflict : they have competing authorities. 

 But where the ruler joins with his power naturally gained, 

 this ascribed supernatural power, his authority is necessarily 

 much increased. Recalcitrant members of- his tribe who 

 might dare to resist him if bodily prowess alone could decide 

 the struggle, do not dare if they think he can send one of his 

 posse comitatus of ghosts to torment them. That rulers desire 

 to unite the two characters, we have, in one case, distinct 

 proof. Canon Callaway tells us that among the Amazulu, a 

 chief will endeavour to discover a medicine-man s secrets and 

 afterwards kill him. 



475. Still there recurs the question How does per 

 manent political headship arise ? Such political headship as 

 results from bodily power, or courage, or sagacity, even when 

 strengthened by supposed supernatural aid, ends with the 

 life of any savage who gains it. The principle of efficiency, 

 physical or mental, while it tends to produce a temporary 

 differentiation into ruler and ruled, does not suffice to prod ace 

 a permanent differentiation. There has to cooperate another 

 principle, to which we now pass. 



Already we have seen that even in the rudest groups, ago 

 gives some predominance. Among both Fuegians and 

 Australians, not only old men, but also old women, exercise 

 authority. And that this respect for age, apart from other 

 distinction, is an important factor in establishing political 

 subordination, is implied by the curious fact that, in sundry 

 advanced societies characterized by extreme governmental 

 coercion, the respect clue to age takes precedence of all other 



