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The first person to be chief of a village is selected by members of his family. This is because at that time it is only he and his family that are in the village. Infact, in most case, it would be a self-appointment. A man who finds a village appoints as the head of the family. If different families of the same clan however arrive at a place at the same time, they come to a compromise as to who should be the first chief of the new village they have founded. When the incumbent chief dies, the junior brother or son takes over the mantle of leadership, if it is only one family that is in existence in the village. Where there are two ruling houses, the next house whose turn it is to lead, provides a capable man. It is usually the person that is considered and has proved himself as the most wise and outspoken man in the family that is given that highly exalted position. The choice of a suitable candidate is done by male members of the family whose turn it is to produce a candidate in conjunction with male members of other clans who act as external judges. The candidate passes through some stringent but justifiable scrutiny. He must be a man of unquestionable character, honest, brave not given to much wine, not a womanizer, etc. in certain situations, there would be no adult male in the family concerned, thus a male child could be declared to be chief. This is however a symbolic declaration as the child would not have become matured enough to occupy such a position. Another person from another family will be appointed to act for the immature boy. When the boy grows up to maturity, he assumes his chieftaincy duties, though he must have to wait for the person acting for him to die. If there is no suitable candidate in the family that is supposed to produce one, the opportunity goes to another family. When a person has satisfied all the conditions required by the judges’ he is hidden from people for nine days. |