All Africans had some indigenous form of political organization but there is great variety in the form this organization took. In essence, we know that some societies had chiefs, others were ruled by elaborate bureaucracies, others were led by groups of men, often elders, while still others acted in autonomous groups, independent of other segments of their people. Many chiefs and kings had a great deal of power but even they were usually subject to the group's traditional legal and religious codes. On the other hand, many societies practiced complete democracy with all adult members sharing in making major decisions and with no one person having more power than his neighbors. Probably the only generalization that can be made about traditional African political systems is that one indeed existed in every society.
African men buy their wives and most men have more than one wife.
Bridewealth or brideprice and polygamy are two of the most frequently misunderstood practices of African societies. Basic to a comprehension of their meaning is an understanding of the concept of descent group, generally the most important unit of African society. It is in his descent group that a man finds his identity. This group or his family is composed of his parents, uncles, cousins, and other relatives. Often it is the oldest male in a descent group who settles disputes among the members.