Xingu cacique or chief (center) performs largely a symbolic role in Xingu society and rules more by example rather than by making orders.  According to Xingu tradition, each man or woman is free to do what he wishes and is not subject to the control of any other.  That said, the Xingu cacique has an important function in Xingu society and ceremonies in which the chief reinforce relationships within the tribe and between tribes.  Caciques are not normally elected but are hereditary in nature.  That is, the chief's son inherits the cacique title.  Foreign concepts such as democracy are foreign to the Xingu way of thinking and are not used in the transferring of the cacique title from one person to another.