In rural South Africa today, chieftaincies are resurging after having been disbanded in colonial times. Among these is the amaTshatshu of the Eastern Cape. In tracing the history of their leader, Bawana, and that of his descendants, this book explores the meaning and history of chieftainship in South Africa. The authors are both closely associated with the amaTshatshu. One is a historian, who grew up on their land, and the other is counsellor to the chief.