So my first chief died of old age, and was replaced by an elderly elder, who has also died. I have tried the robe on every memeber of the village, twice, including any who were mothers and new children as they come along. I still haven't found the next chief! Is there anything I can do besides make more children and have to wait to try the robe on them?

[edit] I guess the third time through is the charm, I finally have a new chief!

Yes, when that happens, one of the babies the mothers are holding might be the new chief. If you have no babies and the robe doesn't seem to fit anyone, then exit out of the game and then go back in and the robe will fit someone.

Yeah, I tried the babies and moms as they became separate, but it still took a bit of going through the tribe a few times. Even after I exited (to check on another tribe) it still took going through the tribe twice more, and waiting a few minutes in between each pass through the group.