The Role of the King in the Ndebele State

• The King had several roles that he played in the political organisation of the Ndebele state.
• These roles included:
• Raising the amabutho (army)
• Acted as the supreme commander of the army.
• Acted as the chief judge in the state.
• Allocated land.
• Presided over religious ceremonies especially those of national importance.
• Distributed captives, cattle and other loot obtained from the raids.
• Appointed indunas.
• Acted as the custodian of all cattle, land and people in the state.
• He was a nation builder, statesman and military strategist.

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