How did government, family, and religion hold african societies together?

 The family was the basic unit of the society,which was tasked with cultivating discipline, and teaching societal ethics, until initiation.many families formed a village which served as the basic unit of administration often headed by a chief or council of elders.Decision in the council were decentralized and hence democratic.after initiation, youths or young men often formed an age-set which was tasked with protection of the village.
Many african communities also believed in god(s) and ancestors, who had sanctioning power. the religious systems was rife with norms that held the community intact and protected against deviant behavior.