The Kanekes community recognizes two governing systems; the national system, which is in accordance to the laws of Indonesia, and the customary system, which abides to the custom of the community.
Masyarakat Kanekes mengenal dua sistem pemerintahan, yaitu sistem nasional, yang mengikuti aturan negara Indonesia, dan sistem adat yang mengikuti adat istiadat yang dipercaya masyarakat.