naku

Each clan of the kumajai has two leaders. The naku is the clan chief. He's in charge of the protection and well-being of the clan, as well as deciding when the clan needs to relocate. Some clans also have a small group of elders who assist the chief, but his word is still considered law. The only member of a clan who can challenge the naku is the muja, or wisewoman, who listens to and speaks for the gods.

Choosing a New Naku

The naku of a clan is typically its strongest warrior. When a naku dies or is ready to pass the title to another, the men of the clan have a competition to prove who is the best. The winner almost always becomes the new chief, but the clan's naku (if he's still alive) and the muja make the final decision. If the muja declares the winner unfit in the gods' eyes, then the second-place warrior is assessed, then the third, and so on until someone is chosen who is both a strong warrior and a good leader.

by me, Kaari13

Origin: Thali

Translation: chief/headsman

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