The village head-man settles all local matters, usually with the assistance of the elders or heads of families, who are called his ‘younger brothers.’ He consults them before engaging in war, or undertaking any public work, such as constructing a stockade round the village; but he cannot summon them to work on his own private account, nor exact tribute from them. He settles any disputes among them, but if they are not satisfied with his decision, they can appeal to a higher head-man, or sub-chief, or to the chief himself. Graver matters are reported by the head-man to the sub-chief, and by him, if necessary, to the chief. The latter holds the head-man responsible for any wrong-doing of his people which may come to his ears, just as the chief in his turn will be held responsible for any aggression of his head-men against outsiders. So far is this principle carried that, when a man has been injured by an inhabitant of a certain village, he and his friends are quite satisfied if they can catch any other man belonging to the same village, whom they will either put to death or hold to ransom till reparation is made. The _mlandu_ and the _ordeal_ are the two great judicial institutions of Bantu Africa. With the ordeal we have partly dealt elsewhere, but there will be a little more to say about it presently. _Mlandu_ is a word which may be variously rendered as ‘lawsuit,’ ‘complaint,’ ‘discussion,’ ‘crime,’ and otherwise, according to the context. It is the same thing known as a ‘palaver’ in West Africa, and an _indaba_ by the Zulus. Civil cases are thus settled. The head-man and his ‘younger brothers’ take their seats in the _bwalo_, and, as a rule, the whole village is assembled, the men sitting on one side, and the women—a little apart—on the other. The accuser speaks first, then the accused, and the various members of the council give their opinions in turn. The speeches are often long and eloquent, and the case may extend over days or even weeks before the head-man gives his decision, or, as the natives say, ‘cuts the case.’ If no decision is come to, or if either party wishes to appeal, the case is transferred to a higher court, and ‘the _mlandu_ spoken’ before the sub-chief or the chief. An important case of this sort is sometimes attended by hundreds of people. The successful party in the suit makes the judge a present out of the damages. Matrimonial cases are settled before a court of this kind—if, for instance, a wife feels herself aggrieved and returns to her relatives. She is represented before the court by her ‘surety.’ The husband may also bring an action for divorce in this way.