How did the traditional rulers in the pre-colonial days control their subjects?
How the Traditional Rulers in the Pre-colonial days controlled their subjects:
(i) Law -Making : One of the ways of controlling the subjects was through law-making and this was done by the Chief-in-Council.
(ii) Settlement of disputes: The traditional rulers performed some judicial functions by settling disputes and apportioning punishments accordingly.
(iii) Law enforcement: Law enforcement institutions were created, e.g age grades, secret societies, etc.
(iv) Religious roles: They were also involved in religious activities, e.g. they were seen as media-tors between the ancestral spirits and those that were living.
(v) Appointment of minor chiefs: Minor or sub-chiefs were appointed by the traditional rulers to help in the administration of the community.
(vi) Rewards: The people or those that contributed to the development of their areas were sometimes rewarded in the forms of title, distribution of war booty, lands, etc.
(vii) Customs and conventions: Control of the people could also be in form of their obedience to the customs and conventions of the community.
(viii) Taboos: There were some practices in the community that were seen as prohibitive and rules were enforced against such.
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