ABSTRACT
The widest reference in space of the Tio political structure was the kingdom as a whole. Below this, only one clear territorial subdivision was recognized: the domain of the chief-of-the-land called the squire and the chief-of-the-crown, or the lord. Squires had to behave so as not to endanger their domain. The role of a squire was essentially to keep the peace and prosperity politically. Lords ruled over squires and over other lords. Lords were ranked by the status of their nkobi in the hierarchy of nkobi. A lord with a nkobi could request the ingkura from the squires. Beyond that lords had a unique role again because of their nucleus of force. They alone had the power to stop feuds and small wars, because their force was a deterrent, and because of their alliances with other lords to make the deterrent effective. In this fashion they represented law and order.
