Zxahje (Chieftain)

On the Mapozian Islands, there are about a hundred of different tribes. None of them is exactly like another one. Some tribes are almost totally different from one another, but all of them as at least one thing in common: all tribes are being led and organized by a chieftain (natively called a "zxahje". The word may change a little depending on dialect and language)

Requirements

The tribe follows the person they think is the most suitable for the rank. Most often that's the son (sometimes daughter) of the previous chieftain, but if the people of the tribe collectively want to follow someone else, they will do it.

Appointment

The shaman of the tribe blesses the new chieftain in a sacred place in front of the whole tribe and the tribe promises to follow him/her.
In several tribes, there could be a sort of procedure to see who is most suitable as chieftain. Sometimes it's by a peaceful, democratic election, but the most common way is the candidates fighting each other to death.

Duties

A chieftain's most important duty is to keep the tribe safe and alive. In the most tribes, that means that the chieftain makes sure the tribe has enough food to eat, makes sure people can fight if it would be conflicts between tribes and makes sure his people gets educated in the ways of geography, religion and civics.
The duties of the chieftain can vary depending on the tribe and the structure of it.

Responsibilities

The chieftain is just responsible for the tribes' safety and wellbeing. (e.g. punishing criminals, lead the tribe in case of battle, keep the hunting sustainable and still make sure the tribe has enough food, protect the territory of the tribe, and so on...)

Form of Address

chieftain / zxahje

Alternative Naming

chieftain / zxahje

Source of Authority

The only reason the chieftain actually is a chieftain is because the tribe collectively chooses to follow him.

Length of Term

When someone becomes a chieftain, then that person usually will be the chief of a tribe until he dies or gets defeated by a stronger rival/candidate.

Related Locations

• The Mapozian Islands