Constitutional Safeguards. Because of the legends glorifying their heroic deeds and far-reaching influence, Mansa Musa, Sundiata, Idris Alooma, and other political leaders of ancient West Africa tend to be remembered as all-powerful tyrants. In fact, the power of West African kings was usually held in check by a large number of safeguards, and many African states of the period were constitutional monarchies. The nobility and other social classes worked to ensure that rulers did not overstep their bounds. A king could not make major political decisions without consulting a ruling council or some similar political institution. For instance, the oba (king) of Benin could not make important decisions, such as promulgation of new laws or declaration of war, without involving councils of state such as the uzama (the seven hereditary chiefs whose duties included installing the oba), eghaevbo n'ogbe (the town...