Non-Kinship based political system

II- Non-Kinship based political system:

1.Age-grade based political system–

This is a factor of Pan tribal integration. It commonly occurs in some of the tribal societies of Africa, United States and Oceania each age-grade is an organized group of people with membership on the basis of age. People of the same age group belong to one age-grade. Each age-grade cuts across kinship and territorial lines because people of the same age in different villages belong to the same age-grade. Each tribe may be divided into two or more age-grades and each grade may be associated with specific political functions.

Eg: – The Kipsigis of East Africa serve as an example of age grade based political organization.

1. The Kipsigis males are divided into two age grades: Warriors and Senior Elders.
2. The warriors defend the country and enrich the tribe by begetting many children and capturing many cattle that belonged to other tribes.
3.  When the warriors reach age grade, they pass into the age grade of senior elders.
4. The senior elders have to fight in defensive battles, have to preside in the council of elders to resolve disputes and have to preside at initiation ceremonies.
5. Thus, age grades cut across kinship and territorial lines and serve different political functions among the Kipsigis of East Africa.

2.Club-based political Organization

Common interest associations such as secret societies or tribal fraternities and military clubs can also form the bases for the political organization of tribal societies.

Eg:- The Cheyenne warrior Clubs serve as examples of association or club based political organization.

• a) The Cheyenne “lived in bands of varying sizes.
• b) Each Cheyenne band contained a military or warrior club.
• c) The military or warrior clubs existing in all bands have identical names and identical functions.
• d) The clubs thus served to integrate the whole tribe for military and political purposes.
• e) The Cheyenne were particularly successful in peacefully resolving conflict within the tribe and in controlling individual behavior when this was necessary for the common good.

3.Headman: –

The headman (or petty chieftain) is the head of a local community, the head of a lineage or homestead or village. Headmanship is a recognized status within the group; it is an official position. In this it differs from the primus-inter-pares leadership found in band societies. The position of headman is an office governed by some rules of succession – even though these rules may be minimal or vague and can usually be superseded by other considerations. For example, the ideal line of succession may be from father to son, or from brother to brother, or from oldest male in the group to oldest male, whatever the particulars of ideal succession may be, personal characteristics are usually decisive. Thus headman ship is similar to primus-inter-pares leadership in that the headman must distinguish himself by being successful at what he does, by having some measure of wealth, by being fair in his adjudications, by not being too aggressive, by being able to inspire loyalty, and so on. In other words, though a man. May be the legitimate successor to headman ship, he must validate his occupying the position by exhibiting the admired personal qualities; for bear in mind that he does not “rule” the group but stands at its head as spokesman and adviser leader of ceremonies, coordinator of economic activities, and perhaps as war leader.  He does not order people about he does not have that kind of authority, As Sahlins.(1968:21)puts it, “One were from him and everyone does as he pleases”.

4.Melanesian Big Man-based Political system –

Throughout Melanesia, the Big Man leader combines a small amount of interest in his tribe’s welfare with a great deal of self-interested cunning calculation for his own personal gain. His authority is personal. He is not elected to anything. His status is based on acts what he has done that raise him above most of the other members of his tribe. He has a band of loyal followers.

Eg: – The Kapauku of west New Guinea.

1. The ‘Big Man’ in the Kapauku is called ‘Tonowi’, a rich man.
2. He is a self-made leader who gains power through personal achievements rather than from holding office.
3. Through a series of public actions, such as generous loans, the ‘Big Man attracts followers within the community.
4. He skillfully builds up his capital and also liberally lends.
5. He presides over the village councils.
6. His achievement is by his own capacity and skill. He is a self-made man.