There government is formed from many elders. The one legged women is the symbol of medicine in Umuofia. She is not an actual person but more of a sign of strength. Her missing leg shows her strength and endurance. The people had to find strength in themselves when the girl was killed in Mbaino. To use her as a symbol shows that the tribe worshiped many symbols. The government seemed to surround itself with many symbols.

The oracle of the hills was an elder in the cave that effected the government. The oracle of the tribes were the wise, older individuals of the tribe. The members of the tribe obeyed the words of the oracle. When it came to war, the oracle would have to decide as long as the case was clear. If they disobeyed the oracle they were severly beaten. By obeying the oracle this shows they had a government system that followed the request of the oracle.

Agbala was also called an oracle. The people came from far and near to consult it. They only came when misfortune or they had a dispute. Agbala was a type of fortune teller who could declare a war. Okonkwo first sought his wisdom to find out why he had a miserable harvest. By coming to the Agbala it shows that they have no court system or steady form of government.