Rulers: Tanzania
Traditional polities
Tanganyikan traditional polities
Note: This is a selection from the very large collection of traditional polities in Tanganyika. All these polities that survived to Tanganyika independence were abolished, or at least derecognized, when Tanganyika became a republic on 9 Dec 1962. This end date is not repeated for each of the listed entries.
Buddu (also known as Kivumbiro)
Rulers
... - ... Kakoko
... - ... Araki
... - ... Mtutura
... - ... Wonye
... - ... Rukika I
... - ... Kagoro
... - ... Nyamtura
... - ... Camkuma
... - ... Rukika II
Buhaya
(1) Bugabo
... - 1860 incorporated into Karagwe and then into Kyamutwara
Rulers (title Omukama)
... - ... Bunyonya
... - ... Kiteite
[last before incorporation into Karagwe]
- Bakango dynasty -
1860 - 1895 Kahiyoza
1895 - 1899 Rutahigwa
1899 - 1910 Rwakyendera
1910 - 1927 Rugacwa
1927 - 1937 Gabriel Rutalemwa
(2) Bugando
Rulers
- Bahinda dynasty -
... - ... Rweyasiza
... - 1867 Bucenera
1867 - 1905 Ruhasuka
1905 - 19.. Mutambukwa
(3) Buhindi
Rulers
- Bahinda dynasty -
... - ... Kiru
... - ... Kazweiguru
... - ... Mumuga
... - ... Mutahabuza
(4) Bukome
1907 incorporated into East Ussuwi
Rulers
- Bahinda dynasty -
... - ... Runyoma
... - ... Kyamazobya
... - ... Rwangaza
... - 1907 Rwoga
(5) Buzinja
... - ... incorporated into Karagwe during reign of Ruhinda I
1901 split into Buzinja (Bukura) and Nyamutureza
Rulers
- Baheta dynasty -
... - ... Nshashamye
[last before incorporation into Karagwe]
- Bahinda dynasty -
... - ... Katovaha
... - ... Kabambo I
... - ... Kabura I
... - ... Nyamurahya
... - ... Kyendanzigo
... - ... Kinwa
... - ... Kabambo II
... - ... Kabura II Mugereza
... - ... Kakaraza
... - ... Kyamani Muhayabbi
... - 1810 Waizigire Kyamuleka
1810 - 185. Ruhinda II Muhangakyare
185. - 1864 Kiseiza Karigita
1864 - 1895 Rwoma
1895 - 1905 Rutakwa Rutasahurwa
1905 - 1908 Mutahembwa
1908 - 1916 Rugingiza + Baridi
1916 - 1921 Mlekwa
1921 - 1926 Geranja Kazindogo
1926 - 19.. Alexander Karumo
19.. - 19.. Rudomia Busambiro
(5-1) Nyamutureza
1901 split from Buzinja
Rulers
- Bahinda dynasty -
1901 - 1907 Murekwa
1907 - 19.. Gagogo
(6) Butundwe
Rulers
- Bahinda dynasty -
... - ... Kacumeye
... - ... Ruhimbura
*1896 - 1907* Mwanangwa
(7) Ihangiro
... - ... incorporated into Karagwe during reign of Ruhinda I and
then into Kyamutwara until reign of Kikuba
Rulers (title Omugabe)
- Abayango dynasty -
... - ... Nkombya
[last before incorporation into Karagwe]
- Bahinda dynasty -
... - ... Kayango
... - ... Ntare I
... - ... Muramira
... - ... Buto
... - ... Mugunda
... - ... Nyarabamba I
... - ... Ruhinda III
... - 1875 Ntare II
1875 - 1911 Rukanya Nyarabamba II
1911 - 19.. Ruhinda IV
(8) Kimwani
1865 split into Kimwani and Bwina
Rulers
- Bahinda dynasty -
... - 1865 Kyandika
1865 - 1899 Kadzuma
1899 - ... Rwabunyengo
(8-1) Bwina
1865 split from Kimwani
Rulers
- Bahinda dynasty -
1865 - ... Ruhimbura
*1907* Magala
(9) Kiyanja
Rulers (title Omugabe)
... - ... Kinyonyi
... - 1890 Muganguze Rugamora III Ibare
1890 - 1916 Mpinzire Kahigi II
1916 - 1943 Alfred Kalemera III
(10) Kiziba
Rulers (title Omukama)
... - ... Bike
... - ... Kiziba Kizindo
... - ... Ntumwa
... - ... Kanyamaishwa
- Babiito dynasty -
... - ... Kibi I Nyakiiru Kaganda
... - ... Ishamura-Njobe "elya Kiziba, elingome"
... - ... Ishamura-Nyakabinga "elya Bunyoro"
... - ... Wanumi
... - ... Bwanamba
... - ... Matwi
... - ... Magembe I (1st time)
... - ... Kashumba
... - ... Magembe I (2nd time)
... - ... Muzinga
... - ... Mwigara
... - ... Burungu I
... - ... Magembe II
... - ... Mboneko I
... - ... Nyarwangu
... - ... Mulimpuzi (regent)
... - ... Ruhangarazi I
... - ... Rutajwaha
... - ... Burungu II Kakinda
... - ... Kibi II Rutahirwa
... - 1870 Ruhangarazi II
1870 - 1903 Mutatembwa
1898 - 1900 Rweshabura (in rebellion)
1903 - 1916 Mutahangarwa Karutasigwa
1916 - 1927 Edward George Mboneko II
1927 - 1937 William Mutakubwa
1937 - 9 Dec 1962* Nestor Lutinwa
(11) Kyamutwara (I) (also called Bukwara)
... - ... incorporated into Karagwe during reign of Ruhinda I
1901 - 1916 annexed by Kyamutwara (II)
Rulers (title Omukama)
- Baango dynasty -
... - ... Kashare Kanyango
- Batundu dynasty -
... - ... Rusembo
[last before incorporation into Karagwe]
- Bahinda dynasty -
... - ... Bwogi I
... - ... Nyamigera
... - ... Kikuba
... - ... Kalemera I
... - ... Rukambyai Bwogi II
... - ... Mahe Rugamora I
... - ... Kasita Kahigi I
... - ... Nkwenge
... - ... Karumuna Rugamora II
... - ... Mpangukano Bwogi III
*1860* Mwiru Kalemera II
18.. - 18.. Kairunga
18.. - 1894 Bwogi IV
1894 - 1901 Kishebuka
1916 - 19.. David Rugamora III
(12) Kyamutwara (II)
Rulers (title Omukama)
- Bakango dynasty -
... - ... Kitekere
... - 1888 Kaitaba
1888 - 1895 Mukotani
1895 - 1901 Bwahama
1901 - 1916 Muntu
1916 - 1939 Edward Lwaijumba
(13) Kome
Rulers
- Bahinda dynasty -
... - ... Rurinda
... - 1886 Kigazu
1886 - 1902 Itegura
1902 - 19.. Murindimura
Bukerewe
Rulers
... - ... Kihira
- Basiranga dynasty -
... - ... Katobaha I
... - ... Kaseza
... - ... Katobaha II
... - ... Mihigo I
... - ... Kahana
... - ... Lutana Mumanya
... - ... Nago
... - ... Mihigo II
... - ... Katobaha III
... - ... Golita
... - ... Ruhinda
... - ... Ibanda Kaseza
... - ... Macunda
... - 1895 Lukonge
1895 - 1907 Kahana Mukaka
1907 - 1938 Gabriel Kaseza Ruhumbika
Karagwe
... Karagwe founded by Ruhinda I; former name (under Basita
dynasty): Bunyambo
Rulers (title Umugabe)
- Basita dynasty -
... - ... Malija
... - ... Nono
- Bahinda dynasty -
... - ... Ruhinda I rwa Nyunaki "Kizarabagabe"
... - ... Ntare I
... - ... Ruhinda II
... - ... Ntare II
... - ... Ruhinda III
... - ... Ntare III
... - ... Ruhinda IV
... - ... Ntare IV
... - ... Ruhinda V
... - ... Ntare V
... - ... Rusatira
... - ... Mehinga
... - ... Kalemera I Ntagara Bwiragenda
... - ... Ntare VI "Kiitabanyoro"
... - 1820 Ruhinda VI Orushongo "Lwanyabugondo"
1820 - 1855 Ndagara I "Luzingamcucu lwa nkwanzi"
1855 - 1881 Rumanyika I Rugundu
1881 - 1882 Kalemera II Kanyenje
1882 - 1893 Ndagara II Nyamkuba
1893 - 1914 Ntare VII
1914 - 1916 Kahigi (regent)
1916 - 1937 Daudi Rumanyika II
1937 - 9 Dec 1962* Ruhinda VII
Shambalai (in Kiswahili: Usambara)
Rulers (title Simbamwene)
- Wakilindi dynasty -
... - ... Mbegha
... - ... Bughe
... - ... Maua
... - 1815 Kinyangi Muanga Ike
1815 - 1862 Kimweri I ya Nyumbai
1862 - 1869 Shekulwavu
1869 - 1870 Kinyashi
1870 Kimweri II Maguvu
1870 - 1890 Mputa I (1st time)
1890 Semboja
1890 - 1895 Mputa I (2nd time)
1895 - 1903 Kinyashi (1st time)
1903 - 1926 vacant
1926 - 1929 Kinyashi (2nd time)
1929 Billa Kimweri
1929 - 1947 Magogo
1947 - 2000 Mputa II (b. ... - d. 2000)
2000 - Daniel E. Magogo (regent)
Ubena
Rulers (title Mwa Mtema)
- Manga dynasty -
... - ... Wakinimanga
... - ... Kibugura
... - ... Luatu
... - ... Mpingi
... - ... Nguano
... - 1860 Ndaliwali
1860 - 1863 Mzawira
1863 - 1884 Mtengera I
1884 - 1905 Kiwanga I
1905 - 1917 Salimbingo
1917 Mnyaubena Kiwanga II (1st time)
1917 - 1918 vacant
1918 - 1919 Mtengera II
1919 - 1928 Mnyaubena Kiwanga II (2nd time)
1928 - 19.. Towegale Kiwanga III
(regent to 1932)
Ufipa
... Ufipa, also called Nkansi (original name Milansi),
founded by Twa dynasty
c.1800 split into Nkansi (Ufipa) and Lyangalile
Rulers
... - ... Ntatakwa
... - ... ...
... - ... Ntaseka
[last ruler of Milansi]
Rulers (title Mweene)
- Twa dynasty -
... - ... Msili
... - ... Ndaasi
*1780* Ntinda I Mkolokombe
... - ... Suumba I Mwaana Nsia
... - ... Nandi I wa Kukutango
... - ... Ntinda II Kwasiganwa
... - ... Ncinga Cileengwi
... - ... Suumba II Kalonga "inkosi"
... - 1860 Sangu Capitimpuunda
1860 - 1891 Nandi II Kapuufi
1891 Suumba III
1891 Ntinda III Kiteta
1891 - 1898 Nandi III Msuulwa + Mweene Korosi
1898 - ... Ntinda IV Kapele
... - ... Kiatu
... - ... Ngalu
Lyangalile
c.1800 split from Ufipa
Rulers (title Mweene)
- Twa dynasty -
*1800* Sangu
*1840* Nguwa Wapilinga = Mwaana Nyekenti
18.. - 1879 Suumba Kasuumba = Pilula Fipa
1879 - 1899 Yulamaasi
1899 - ... Nti Kifata
Uhehe
c.1898 several polities (the principal being Nguluhe)
merge into the newly founded sultanate of Uhehe
Nguluhe
Rulers (title Mtema)
- Wayinga dynasty -
... - ... Muyinga I
... - ... Muyinga II
... - ... Kitowa
... - ... Mudegela (b. 1774 - d. 1848)
... - 18.. Kilonge (b. 1791 - d. 1859)
18.. - 1860 Ngawonalupembe (b. 1812 - d. 1889)
1860 - 1879 Binini Munyingunda Muyinga (b. 1815 - d. 1896)
1879 - 18.. Mhamile
18.. - 1883 Mukenga
1883 - 19 Jun 1898 Ntasatsi Mkavinyika = Mkwawa (b. 1855 - d. 1898)
Ilole
Rulers (title Mtema)
... - ... Kahwanagise
... - ... mwa Ngimba
Lungemba
Ruler (title Mtema)
... - ... Kindole
Udongwe
Rulers (title Mtema)
... - ... Mihwela
... - ... Myovela
Usangu
Rulers (title Mtema)
... - ... Muhavanga
... - ... Towelamahamba
... - ... Mugandilwa
Uhehe
Rulers (title Sultani)
Dec 1896 - 21 Feb 1897 Mpangile (b. 1857 - d. ...)
21 Feb 1897 - 1927 vacant
1927 - 19.. Sapi (b. 1879 - d. 19...)
1940 - 9 Dec 1962* Adam Sapi Mkwawa (b. 1920 - d. 1999)
Unyamwezi
Note: In the Unyamwezi region, the principal polity was Unyanyembe; in 1871 a new polity (capital Tabora) was created, covering most of Unyamwezi, largely by traders.
Unyanyembe
Rulers (title Ntemi)
... - ... Mpepo?
... - ... Mputa?
... - ... Katwanga?
... - ... Kabundi
... - ... Nsonso Nsemamilundi
... - ... Mgalula
... - ... Manywa
... - ... Swetu I
... - 1859 Saidi Fundikira I
1859 - 1860 Manywa Msabila Kimagulu
1860 - 1876 Kiyungi Mkasiwa
1876 - 11 Jan 1893 Isike "mwana Kiyungi"
1893 - 1899 Bibi Nyaso
1917 - 1929 Saidi Mgalula Fundikira II
19.. - 19.. Ipuli
1957 - 9 Dec 1962* Abdallahi Saidi Fundikira III
"Unyamwezi"
Rulers
1871 - Dec 1884 Mirambo-ya-Banhu
Dec 1884 - 1888 Panda Caro
1888 - 1898 Katumagoto
1898 - ... Kaswika
Ussuwi
East Ussuwi
Rulers
- Bahinda dynasty -
... - ... Ntare II Muhire
... - ... Rusimbya Rugaba
... - ... Isekanyere
*1861 - 1873 Rweswarura Nyamuhanga
1873 - 1886 Mankorongo
1886 - 1928 Kasussura
1928 - 1952 Ntare III
West Ussuwi
Rulers
... - ... Magina I
... - ... Kinanaira I
... - ... Magina II
... - ... Kinanaira II
*1850* Kibogora
... - ... Kafurebe Nsoro
... - 1906 Kinanaira III
Buhimba
... incorporated into East Ussuwi
Rulers
... - ... Ruhagira
... - ... Rwakataki
[last before incorporation]
Zanzibar traditional polities
Note: This record refers to the coastal and insular polities that were incorporated into the Sultanate of Zanzibar; the coastal territories were incorporated into the Tanganyika Protectorate upon its establishment.
Kilwa Kisiwani
957 Sultanate of Kilwa Kisiwani founded
1597 conquered by Portugal
1680 independence recovered
1842 conquered by Zanzibar
Sultans (also styled Maliki)
- ash-Shirazi dynasty -
1777 - 17.. al-Hasan ibn Ibrahim
*1797* Abu Bakr ibn al-Hasan
*1813* Yusuf ibn al-Hasan
*1819* Muhammad ibn al-Hasan
*1819* Sulayman ibn al-Hasan
*1822 - 1842 al-Hasan
Hadimu
c.1650 Hadimu Island state established
1771 conquered by Muscat and Oman, retaining its rulers under
Omani and later Zanzibari sovereignty
1873 rulership extinct
Rulers (title Mfalume, also styled Jumbe)
1771 - ... Mwinyi Ahmad ibn Sultan al-`Alawi
... - 1845 Mwinyi al-Hasan ibn Ahmad al-`Alawi
1845 - 1865 Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-`Alawi
(regent, styled Mwinyi Mkuu)
1865 - 1873 Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-`Alawi
(regent, styled Mwinyi Mkuu)
Tumbatu
18.. Tumbatu Island state established
1856 conquered by Zanzibar
Rulers (title Sheha [i.e., Sheikh])
*18..* Mwana wa Mwana (f)
18.. - 18.. `Ali ibn al-Hasan
18.. - 18.. Fatima bint `Ali (f)
18.. - 18.. ... ibn `Ali
18.. - 18.. Kombo ibn `Ali
18.. - 18.. Vuai ibn Mukaddam
18.. - 18.. Ngwale ibn Kombo
18.. - 18.. Mwana Khadija bint Ngwale (f)
18.. - 1856 `Ali ibn Ngwale
Pemba
bf.1550 Pemba Island state established
1606 conquered by Malindi, later by Muscat and Oman
c.1750 rulers (diwani) established under Omani,
later Zanzibari, sovereignty
c.1865 rulership extinct
Rulers (title Diwani)
... - ... Makame ibn Abi Bakr ibn Salim
... - ... Ngwacani
... - ... Athmani
... - ... Ibrahim
... - 186. Kihanuni