ABSTRACT
In West Africa a tribe will often consist of three elements: the group which migrated to the district; the original inhabitants of that district; and later migrants composed of offshoots from other groups. The tribe is ruled by a chief, and each individual settlement by a sub-chief who is dependent on the chief in a greater or lesser degree. The authority of the chief of the tribe rests mainly on the fact that he is the descendant of the first leader of the group. He is the representative of the ancestors, the custodian of their law and their magic powers, and thus symbolizes the unity of the tribe. The chief is replaced by officials appointed by Government or chosen by the people; in the District Councils and the Bunga the people have representation on a parliamentary basis.
