I78
AFRICAN POLITICAL SYSTEMS
factional splits within the hereditary ruling class. The recent history of the Kede contains indeed evidence of such rivalry between the Kede chief and his officers of State, or between different claimants to Kede rulership, and the ensuing division of the country into rival factions.1 Attachment to one of the rival factions is also the only means by which the subject classes, the commoners with no rank and office, could exercise an indirect influence upon the political management of their country.
Administration of the 'Colonies'. The following chart illustrates the different grades in the rank list of Kede delegates. The ranks are given in order of precedence, each rank together with the district to which its holder is posted. The last five ranks on the list do not belong to members of the chief's family, but to that group of 'household' ranks which are also occasionally vested with emissaryships.
Rank Relation to Kuta Posted to at present Posted to formerly
Egba Elder brother's son (classific.) Gbara Kpatagban (right bank)
Sonfara Son Lives in Muregi, no emissaryship (A newly introduced rank)
Kofie Younger brother (classific.) Raba Raba
Ekpd Younger brother (classific.) Kpacefu —
Tswadiya Younger brother Ketsogi Ketsogi
Lefiti Younger brother of Egba Muregi, no emissaryship Kpacefu
Liman Gyedwa Distant relation » Kpasha (right bank)
Tswadyagi » » Kpasha
1 Factional splits of this kind were occasionally utilized and fostered by outside Powers. Thus the Royal Niger Company supported an Egba in whom they found a valuable ally against the ruling Kuta, promising the former the chieftainship in return for the support of his faction. And once or twice the Emirs of Nupe backed the rival claimant of Kede chieftainship against the * official* candidate.