ABSTRACT
The king and his mother are responsible for maintaining law and order throughout the nation. Appeals lie to them from the courts of district chiefs, and formerly they alone could deal with cases of witchcraft, treason, and homicide. Witchcraft and treason were punished by death and the property of the deceased was taken by the rulers; homicide was punished by a fine, part of which went to the relatives of the deceased, and the rest was retained by the ruler and his court. Deliberate legislation was formerly rare, but was always promulgated by the rulers. Hie economic and religious privileges and obligations of the rulers are dealt with in other sections of this survey.
