THE KEDE: A RIVERAIN STATE IN NORTHERN NIGERIA 179
Rank j.\Kiut,i.uri rosiea 10 to Kuta at present rostea to formerly
Sodi Younger brother Katcha (unofficially) Muregi, no emissaryship
Sheshi Kuta Household-rank Katcha Eggan (right bank)
Tsotoa Kuta >» Muregi, no emissaryship Egbagi (right bank)
Capa Kuta » Wunangi
Mijindadi Kuta Jebba Buka
The list shows that the assignment of posts to political ranks has undergone certain changes. They were due partly to the re-alignment of modern administrative divisions, which placed some of the former Kede areas outside of present-day Kede country (e.g. the Kede settlements on the right bank of the Niger). But partly also to changes in the economic and political importance of certain places and the corresponding change in their official 'appreciation'. Jebba and Katcha are illuminating examples. In Jebba we find a man of comparatively low rank in charge of the Kede community. He was posted there when Jebba was only just beginning to become the important place it is to-day. The Mijindadi is to-day a very old man, almost blind, and only nominally in charge of the 'colony'; he is generally expected to be succeeded by a high rank-holder whose rank would do justice to the importance of present-day Jebba. Katcha is, officially, in charge of the Sheshi Kuta, another 'household' rank; he is, however, unofficially assisted in his work by the Sodi, a relation of the Kuta, who also lives in Katcha and, in fact, only waits till this important Kede community will be handed to him as to the more suitable representative of the Kuta.
The dominion of the delegate varies in extent and composition. His district (especially if he resides in one of the twin-villages) may comprise both tribal groups, Kede and non-Kede; or the boundary of his dominion may be drawn round the Kede settlement, while the 'native' village (which would be some distance from the Kede settlement or on the bank if the latter is on an island) belongs to the country and political district inland. In