ABSTRACT

Land cannot be owned privately. All the land belongs to the chief, which he holds in trust for his people and cannot alienate. Movable property consists of live stock, household utensils, and the proceeds of agriculture and trade; these are owned individually. The heir inherits the cattle and all the personal property of the deceased. On the occasion of the succession of the heir all the relatives are summoned, and the deceased man's eldest sister, called by his children makhadzi, nominates the heir. The wives of a deceased man are inherited laterally by his brothers, subject to certain conditions. The eldest uterine brother of the dead man is given precedence in the inheritance of the widows. In reviewing the customs of inheritance it is evident that it is the desire of every man to perpetuate his family and be succeeded by one of his own progeny.