الحكام التقليديون ودورهم في الحياة السياسية والاجتماعية المعاصرة في غرب إفريقيا

الملخص EN

Many studies have been carried out on the institution of traditional leadership in Africa, and the positions of the researcher can be seen when addressing the role of traditional rulers in democracy and modern governance in Africa: some see the institution of traditional leadership as obsolete, while others confirm its viability as an indigenous system and tool that is critical to the development of the African communities.

There are also some researchers whose focus is on the difference between “natural leaders” and “indigenous leaders”, and if the leadership associated with a specific community in contemporary Africa can be described as “traditional” or “indigenous” given that this community has seen many developments that changed some of its characteristics and culture, and since the institution of traditional leadership in Africa today has become highly politicized; modern governments are the ones who install traditional rulers without regarding the traditions of these societies, while some societies have also adopted new traditions which differ partially or completely from the concept of the old or original tradition like adopting foreign languages and cultures.

The present study aims to explore the changing roles of traditional rulers in West Africa by presenting the nature of governance in the ancient societies, the influence of colonial rule in the indigenous African system of government, and the contributions of traditional leaders to contemporary political and social life.