The king is of special importance in cult, for only he may make offerings to the royal ancestors and to the major deities. Among some peoples the king has divine attributes, in the sense that he is responsible for the well-being of his subjects. In earlier times, in situations of grave misfortune the king could be ritually put to death.

Figure of a royal wife or queen mother
Chokwe, Angola
19th century
acquired from Gustav Nachtigal, 1886

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