In the last two chapters I have given an account of the hierarchical structure of the chiefdom and the functions it serves. The importance of the study of political processes as a complement to such accounts has recently been stressed by Richards. This refers to an examination of the way in which political institutions work through time and such an examination is the purpose of this and the following chapter. In this chapter I shall first consider, with special reference to the chiefship, the historical charters which validate the holding of royal office, and I shall give an account of the various objects of royal property which help to corroborate these charters. I shall then go on to discuss the system of succession to the chiefship. In the next chapter I shall examine the chiefdom structure as a working system of relationships.

HISTORICAL CHARTERS

For the Nyamwezi the history of a chiefdom is in fact the history of its ruling family and it is meaningful to talk of this history as being owned by the ruling family in question. Individual ownership of histories and the idea of authorized versions concomitant with it are not the general rule in the area. Rather the history of a chiefdom is known piecemeal to a ruling family and its close followers, particularly the ritual officers. Different versions may be found without difficulty.