ABSTRACT
At the peak of the political hierarchy are the king and his mother, each with a hereditary title and special insignia of office, each with political power sanctioned on the familiar African pattern by ritual and belief. Between the Ingwenyama and the Indlovukati there is a delicate balance of powers, legal, economic, and ritual. He presides over the highest court, and formerly he alone could pronounce the death sentence. But she is in charge of the second highest court, her counsellors may take part in discussions at her son's court, and her hut is a sanctuary even for men sentenced to death. The king is careful not to give too much power to male kinsmen, and certain highly-coveted administrative posts are monopolized by commoners. The people are represented on the central government by two councils, the Liqoqo (Inner Council) and the Libandla (General Council).
