72 AFRICAN POLITICAL SYSTEMS
advisers apart from Government officials. He often consults the local missionaries on many aspects of tribal life remote from religion, seeks advice from traders on matters of finance, and frequently employs the special services of lawyers in Mafeking and Cape Town. Tribal policy is therefore no longer determined merely by the chief and his traditional Native advisers; it is moulded also in some degree with the aid of various interested European personalities, not always regarded with favour by the Administration.
All matters of tribal policy are dealt with finally before a general assembly of the adult men in the chief's kgotla (council-place). Such meetings are very frequently held, at times almost weekly. Normally only the men present in Serowe attend them, any decisions reached being communicated to those in other parts of the Reserve through the district governors and other local authorities. But on important occasions the people of the districts are also summoned, and the question at issue is debated by the tribe as a whole. Among the topics discussed in this way are tribal disputes, quarrels between the chief and his relatives, the imposition of new levies, the undertaking of new public works, the promulgation of new decrees by the chief, and the relations between the tribe and the Administration. The decisions made are generally the same as those previously reached by the chief and his personal advisers, who as leaders of the tribe can sway public opinion; but it is not unknown for the tribal assembly to overrule the wishes of the chief. Since anybody may speak, these meetings enable him to ascertain the feelings of the people generally, and provide the latter with an opportunity of stating their grievances. If the occasion calls for it, he and his advisers may be taken severely to task, for the people are seldom afraid to speak openly and frankly. The Administration has contributed greatly towards the retention and present vigour of these assemblies, by making a practice of getting its officers to discuss with the tribe in kgotla developmental schemes, new or projected laws, and other matters affecting the relations between the two bodies.
In his judicial and administrative capacities, the chief again relies primarily upon his personal advisers. They help him hear and judge cases at his court, although, as we have seen, any other member of the tribe may attend and take part in the proceedings. They also act as his state messengers on important occasions, he