Praised as "God on Earth," the king, nyim, is a divine ruler who controls fertility and communicates with the creator,
Mboom. The royal court at Nsheng is a hierarchical complex of councils and titled officials who advise the king and
balance his power. Outlying Kuba chiefdoms are largely autonomous, organized on models analogous to those of
the capital but on a lesser scale (Vansina 1964:98-99; 1978:216). Kuba society parallels governmental
organization in that it is stratified. Yet the Kuba people prize hard work and achievement, and while position of birth
may secure advantage, it is not binding