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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 November 2009
In the last chapter an account was given of the historical charters to royal office and the system of succession to such office. In the present chapter I wish to examine the chiefdom structure as a functioning system of relationships. To this end I shall consider the interdependence which exists between the rulers, i.e. chiefs and their subordinate authorities, in a chiefdom and their subjects, and I shall also discuss the various checks which serve to prevent rulers from abusing their power. Finally, I shall examine how chiefs deal with some of the problems which confront them in their work.
CHIEFS AND SUBJECTS: BASIC INTERDEPENDENCE
Every citizen of a Nyamwezi chiefdom derives certain advantages from his citizenship. The most important of these are the secure tenure of land on which he may live and cultivate and the benefits of a system of law and arbitration which guarantees his ability to pursue his life in a peaceful and orderly way. Of strong importance in the past but much less so in modern times are the rituals which some chiefs perform on behalf of their subjects. The chief, on the other hand, derives certain advantages from his subjects. His prestige as a ruler depends upon them and his salary is taken out of the various Native Authority taxes which they pay. It may be seen, then, that the interdependence between a chief and his subjects is of a very fundamental nature.
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