How was land held under Basutoland's customary law?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Under the customary law of Basutoland, land was held in trust by the paramount chief for the people. Authority regarding the administration of this land was delegated through ranked regional chiefs who were drawn from the royal lineage and the most important chiefdoms.1

This system ensured that land was not held as private property but was managed collectively for the benefit of the nation under the stewardship of its traditional leaders.1