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Op. Cit.
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Historical SummaryThe succession to rule comes about in the first place as the continuation of habit; succession naturally continues in the line of the deceased ruler. In the formative stage, however (not alone in Africa but everywhere), it did not necessarily fall to his son, but rather to the most suitable person within certain degrees of kinship with him. It usually amounted to an election in which the elders, and frequently only the elders, or representatives of specified families, had a voice. In Westermann’s account relating to the Kpelle it is noticeable that maturity, almost old age, is regarded as indispensable, in addition to other desirable qualities, thus continuing in a way the kinship practice of control through elders:
While succession to kingship is hereditary the right of no individual is definitely recognized but the choice is made in a definite order of relationship among a number of related families having equal claims. The rule is that the eldest surviving brother of the king, or if there is none, the eldest cousin takes over the office. Only when there is no survivor of the same generation is a son or nephew considered. . . .
Often several candidates appear, supported by favorable claims—advanced age, the affection of the people, riches, or logical position from the standpoint of birth—and each seeks support among the village chiefs and chiefs of other kinship groups who have the elective right. . . .
A king on his accession must be a man advanced in years. The present king of Densu was when chosen between forty-five and fifty years old and nevertheless objections were made to him on account of his extreme youth. As further desirable qualities he should have no physical defect, should be markedly tall with a stately bearing, and should be experienced in dancing, games, with women, and in drinking. In a word, he must be a model. They demand also that he shall have general esteem, a sound judgment, and a sense of justice. . . .
In addition to these aboriginal hereditary kings, or kings of the country (doi kalon), the Kpelle have had experience with war kings (ko kalon)—conquerors, either head chiefs of districts or men without rank who through their military ability have subjugated a large territory and united it into a kingdom. But such a form of rule has seldom endured beyond the lifetime of the founder, since being based solely on force and the personality of the conqueror, it has fallen apart again. It was the southerly direction of these foundations of kingdoms which for several centuries convulsed the western portions of the Sudan.1
1Westermannn/an/an/an/an/an/a, , 90, 91, 93, 95 (Vandenhoeck and Ruprecht. By permission).
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Chicago: "Op. Cit.," Op. Cit. in Primitive Behavior: An Introduction to the Social Sciences, ed. Thomas, William I. (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1937), Original Sources, accessed May 11, 2025, http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=CE3C5NFM9VUS76H.
MLA: . "Op. Cit." Op. Cit., in Primitive Behavior: An Introduction to the Social Sciences, edited by Thomas, William I., New York, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1937, Original Sources. 11 May. 2025. http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=CE3C5NFM9VUS76H.
Harvard: , 'Op. Cit.' in Op. Cit.. cited in 1937, Primitive Behavior: An Introduction to the Social Sciences, ed. , McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York. Original Sources, retrieved 11 May 2025, from http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=CE3C5NFM9VUS76H.
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