How did the people of anyone British West African territory govern themselves before the advent of colonial rule?

• The people were governed by customs, rules and
  norms. 
• The paramount chief was at the apex of the
  administration. 
• The chiefs and council of elders made laws. 
• The age grades executed laws. 
• The traditional rulers and elders exercised
  legislative, executive and judicial functions i.e there
  was no separation of powers. 
• The chief priests and the secret societies
  performed religious functions and checked arbitrary use
  of power by chiefs 
• Queen mothers and palace women performed
  important  roles e.g. settling disputes among women, advising
  the chiefs e.t.c. 
• The
  commoners also performed important roles e.g. manual labour for community development and
  defence
• Revenue was raised through-tributes and taxes.