The Elder Staff, pass down from one chief to the next, symbolizes the absolute authority of the chief.  Although its shape may vary from one tribe to the next, it is generally made of a thick wooden stick with a monkey skull mounted on top, small stakes inserted on the sides and pebbles with holes hanging off of them.  The shiny pebbles each represent the sun, the moon, fire, water and earth.  The wooden stick represents the forest and the skull the afterlife.  Toguis believed that their chief oversaw all of this, and those who would act against this authority would receive the divine punishment.  Thus, they did not think to challenge the chiefs authority.