Start of a River Trip
Photo by E. S.
Interior of Lewanika’s Dining-room
Photo by J. Walton, Esq.
Cases of adultery are still settled by the Kotla but, as there is always the possibility of an appeal from a decision to the nearest Native Commissioner’s Court, the Kotla takes much more pains over settling these cases than in former times.
These three “Crimes” with their various sub-headings formed the chief cases settled in earlier days by the Kotla. Land disputes, which were rare, were nearly all settled by the Chief and as the country has ever been larger than the actual requirements of the people, disputes on land and water rights were practically unknown.
The Natamoyo’s yard was always a city of refuge. Any law-breaker who could get away from the avenging parties, and could reach the shelter of the yard round the house or hut of the Natamoyo, was safe. “Natamoyo” in Silui or Sirozi means the “man of life,” and thus his actual residence became a city of refuge to any wrongdoer. A day’s sojourn at Natamoyo’s yard was sufficient sanctuary and wiped away any obligation required by law.
Blood relatives of the Chief had practically, a different set of laws for their conduct. If one of the blood royal killed a man, he was fined very lightly as a presupposed provocation was allowed in his case.