GCE Government 2022 Theory — Question 6

Model answer

- Through their intermediary role as representatives of the gods. - Powers to appoint and dismiss officials: Divisional or district heads were appointed by the traditional rulers and used in the execution of the traditional rulers' policies. - Adjudication of laws/settlement of disputes: disputes were normal in every society and pre-colonial societies were no exception. Any dispute that arose was settled by the chiefs. Culprits were punished, and the innocent were set free. - Rewards/honour: traditional citizens who had contributed to the development of the society were rewarded with titles. Some were given lands and titles, and others were allocated booties of war. - Enforcement of customs, traditions and conventions: there were things that traditional society frowned upon and society were compromised on them. These were aspects of their customs, taboos and conventions. Any infraction of the customs, taboos or conventions attracted a certain form of fine or sanctions. - Punish law breakers/deviants in society/Banishment of criminals: the traditional rulers also had the powers to punish those that had offended the community. - They organize and supervise communal labour. - Imposition of levies/taxes: taxes were collected and made use of in developing their respective areas of authority. - Law making functions: in pre-colonial traditional societies, there were rules and regulations that the inhabitants were required to abide by. - Formulation and implementation of policies: they formulated policies and made use of the traditional laws in governing their territory. - They served as symbol of power and authority. - Invocation of spirits of the ancestors to regulate the conduct of their subjects. - Oath taking by the subjects: in pre-colonial times, one of the ways of ascertaining the truth was the taking of an oath to tell the truth. - Dethronement of sub-chiefs: they dethrone any erring chief to serve as deterrent to others. - The use of trial by ordeal: the use of instant punishment or uncommon punishment to punish an offender to create fear in the people.