Wanika, 107 
each tribe attending to its own affairs. There is no 
general government, nor any bond of union among 
them whatever. This state of things has no doubt 
led to their spoliation and present broken-down con- 
dition. Their want of union has invited attack. 
Had they been an united people, they might have 
bidden defiance to all comers ; but, disjointed as 
they have been, they have become an easy prey to 
their foes. 
It is not an easy matter to define what their 
government really is. It is a strange mixture of 
Monarchy, Constitutionalism, and Republicanism. 
Each tribe has its *^Shaha" (chief), its "Mvaya" 
(House of Lords), and its Kambi " (House of Com- 
mons), the rest of the people being "niere" (young 
men), women, and children. 
The chieftainship is hereditary, but it is confined 
to the male line ; and when all the male members of 
one family have perished, it then passes over to that 
of the next brother. The Shaha has no power to 
act apart from the "Mvaya" and "Kambi.'' His 
privileges and emoluments are almost nil, the honour 
of his position being his chief reward. But if he be a 
man of energy and spirit, he may makejsomething 
of his office ; he may also exert a great influence ; 
indeed, do almost as he pleases. It is so in some 
cases, but in others the Shaha is the poorest, weakest, 
and most uninfluential man of the tribe. Unless he 
can do something for himself, the people will do 
nothing for him ; they say it is the duty of the Shaha 
to help them. If he, therefore, be a man of sub- 
stance, and can dispense his benefits among his 
people, he can work everything to his will, and his 
