Colonial rule
contributed to the decline of the powers of the
contributed to the decline of the powers of the
traditional rulers in West Africa through the
following ways.
following ways.
- Colonial rule led to
breakdown of the existing Sinks between the traditional
rulers and their subjects, making the former mere appendages of
alien government. - The introduction of wage earning for working
subjects by colonial government
gave the subjects
economic independence from the traditional
rulers. - The influence of western education resulted in the
breaking down of traditional norms and values
of society e.g. paying of homage and respect for the traditional
rulers. - The influence of foreign religion scaled down the
power of the traditional rulers as the spiritual authority of their people. - The establishment of law courts by the
colonialists eroded judicial power of traditional rulers. - The setting up of legislative council by the
colonial authority reduced the law making functions of
traditional rulers. - The introduction of native or local
authorities which took over the traditional
rulers absolute control over taxation and its disbursement. - The use of forced labour and conscription
by the colonial authority
reduced the popularity of the traditional rulers. - The colonial Governors was vested with
appointment and removal of
traditional rulers reduced the prestige of traditional rulers and
misdirected their loyality. - The
stoppage of inter-tribal war put to an end the means by which traditional
rulers accumulated wealth.
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