THE KINGDOM OF ANKOLE IN UGANDA 157
Banyankole constantly stressed the importance of hiding Bagyen-danway so that it would not be captured. Perhaps the most conclusive evidence to the statement that Bagyendamaa is greater than the Mugabe is the power of the drum to provide sanctuary. If, after being condemned to death by the Mugabe, a Munyankole were able to dash to the shrine of Bagyendamoa and to touch the drum he would not be killed. The Mugabe would forgive him; he would be freed and given his former rights. This sanctuary was effective only in protecting a man from the death penalty and only when this sentence was passed by the Mugabe. When a father or head of a family passed such a sentence upon one of his subordinates, the drum provided no sanctuaiy.
VI. Succession
The emphasis which the Bahima placed upon the health, strength, and courage of the Mugabe was so extreme that it affected his tenure of office and the selection of his successor. This excessive concern about the physical virtues of the king's person is explained partly by his position as a permanent war leader, and partly by the magical powers attributed to him in his capacity as a protector of the tribe from evil influences. As has akeady been mentioned, no Mugabe was permitted to die of illness or of old a^e. As soon as his wives and followers observed signs of weakness, the Mugabe was given a poison which brought about his death. The Bahima compare the Mugabe to the leading bull in the herd. They say, 'The Mugabe is like the leading bull. When the engundu [leading bull] is beaten by a younger bull, we kill the engundu and let the strongest of the younger ones take his place'.
After the king's death a successor must be chosen. Two rules governed this choice. First, the new Mugabe must be in the royal line; second, he must be the strongest of the last king's sons. Patrilineal descent fulfilled the first requirement. The second depended upon some method by which lie strength and courage of the Mugabe's sons could be tested. Primogeniture and favouritism, both important factors in the selection of a successor in the extended family of the commoners, also played their part in the royal family, but were overbalanced by the political and ritual demands of kingship. The Bahima demanded that the strongest of the king's sons should be their leader and that the