“Among these equatorial tribes the government is patriarchal, which is almost equivalent to saying that there is no government at all.  The tribes are divided into clans.  Each clan inhabits a separate village, or group of villages; and at the head of each is a patriarch, the parody of a king.  They are distinguished from the others by the grass-woven cap which they wear on their heads, and by the staff which they carry in their hands.  They are always rich and aged:  therefore they are venerated; but, though they can exert influence, they cannot wield power; they can advise, but they cannot command.  In some instances, as in that of Quenqueza, King of the Rembo, the title and empty honors of royalty are bestowed upon the most influential patriarch in a district.  This is a vestige of higher civilization and of ancient empire which disappears as one descends among the lower tribes."[74]

“The African form of government is patriarchal, and, according to the temperament of the chief, despotic, or guided by the counsel of the elders of the tribe.  Reverence for loyalty sometimes leads the mass of the people to submit to great cruelty, and even murder, at the hands of a despot or madman; but, on the whole, the rule is mild; and the same remark applies in a degree to their religion."[75]

When a new king is elected, he has first to repair to the pontiff’s house, who—­apropos of priests—­is more important than the king himself.  The king prostrates himself, and, with loud cries, entreats the favor of this high priest.  At first the old man inside, with a gruff voice, orders him away, says he cannot be annoyed; but the king enumerates the presents he has brought him, and finally the door opens, and the priest appears, clad in white, a looking-glass on his breast, and long white feathers in his head.  The king is sprinkled, covered with dust, walked over, and then, finally, the priest lies upon him.  He has to swear that he will obey, etc.; and then he is allowed to go to the coronation.  Then follow days and nights of feasting, and, among some tribes, human sacrifices.

The right of succession is generally kept on the male side of the family.  The crown passes from brother to brother, from uncle to nephew, from cousin to cousin.  Where there are no brothers, the son takes the sceptre.  In all our studies on Africa, we have found only two women reigning.  A woman by the name of Shinga ascended the throne of the Congo empire in 1640.  She rebelled against the ceremonies, sought to be introduced by Portuguese Catholic priests, who incited her nephew to treason.  Defeated in several pitched battles, she fled into the Jaga country, where she was crowned with much success.  In 1646 she won her throne again, and concluded an honorable peace with the Portuguese.  The other queen was the bloodthirsty Tembandumba of the Jagas.  She was of Arab blood, and a cannibal by practice.  She fought many battles, achieved great victories, flirted with beautiful young savages, and finally was poisoned.