English

Noun

chieftainship ‎(countable and uncountable, plural chieftainships)

1. (uncountable) The state of being a chieftain
2. (countable) The area ruled by a chieftain

Quotations

• 1852 Commission to Inquire into the Past and Present State of the Kafirs

  Shortly after the death of his father, Chaka obtained the chieftainship of the Zulu nation, through the influence of his patron.

• 1847 Henry Rowe Schoolcraft - The Red Race of America

  They exist in chieftainships, each head of which has his own local jurisdiction, civil and criminal.