INDUNA

induna, a zulu-bantu word for an officer or head of a regiment among the kaffir (zulu-xosa) tribes of south africa. it is formed from the inflexional prefix _in_ and _duna_, a lord or master. indunas originally obtained and retained their rank and authority by personal bravery and skill in war, and often proved a menace to their nominal lord. where, under british influence, the purely military system of government among the kaffir tribes has broken down or been modified, indunas are now administrators rather than warriors. they sit in a consultative gathering known as an indaba, and discuss the civil and military affairs of their tribe.