CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Background to Study

The chieftaincy institution in Africa is an old aged institution that has existed from time immemorial so as their succession. In most instances, chiefs were not elected but handed from one generation to the next.

This means that for a person to become a chief he must come from the ruling family. But as time unfolded, the succession process encountered some innovations in the Upper Banyang Sub Division.

This could be clearly seen from 1980 upward.  From 1980, the involvement of influential elites brought great innovations in the process of chieftaincy succession. The changing will of succession cropped different succession disputes in the Upper Banyang. The disputes started usually as a result of the dead of a chief.

The former chief dying without an heir to the throne makes the throne problematic. There is a vacancy as to who would be the new chief.  The subsequent chapters, examine the various succession systems in the area. Also how the succession methods have created problems in the societies of Upper Banyang Sub Division from 1980 upward.

Statement of Problem

The chieftaincy institution in Upper Banyang Sub-Division was characterized by disputes as elsewhere in Africa. Some of the disputes emanated from the dishonesty of kingmakers amongst other causes.

The 1980s chieftaincy disputes have persisted and have gone a long way to antagonize the various segments of the Upper Banyang community. In spite of the enduring nature of the disputes, innovations in succession to chieftaincy are obvious.

What is interesting is that literature on the protracted succession disputes and the changes in succession has been attempted in a fitful way. This study examines and traces the roots of the disputes. Focus is accorded to the innovations introduced in the succession architecture over the years.

The objective of the Study

Main Objectives

The broad objective of the study is to ascertain the chieftaincy succession process in the Upper Banyang sub division.

Specific Objectives

This includes:

1. To identify and examine the succession types which exist in the study area.
2. To examine chieftaincy institutions in Upper Banyang.
3. To examine the succession processes its characteristics and the evolution of the various succession types.
4. To identify and explore the factors responsible for the evolution in the succession process.
5. To investigate the problems in the succession process.