List of kings of Burundi

This article contains two versions of the list of kings of Burundi, the traditional version before 1680 and the modern genealogy. The Kingdom of Burundi was ruled by sovereigns, titled mwami (plural abami), whose regnal names followed a cycle: Ntare (meaning 'lion'), Mwezi (meaning 'moon'), Mutaga, and Mwambutsa. Traditionally, it was thought that there had been four complete cycles but the modern genealogy indicates that there were only two complete cycles, starting with Ntare III Rushatsi.

Mwami of Burundi
Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Burundi,
with the royal karyenda drum surmounted on the top
Last to reign
Ntare V Ndizeye
8 July – 28 November 1966
Details
StyleHis Majesty
First monarchNtare III Rushatsi
Last monarchNtare V Ndizeye
Formationc. 1680
Abolition28 November 1966
ResidenceGitega and Bujumbura, Burundi
AppointerHereditary
Pretender(s)Princess Rosa Paula Iribagiza

In the 16th century, Burundi was a kingdom characterized by a hierarchical political authority and tributary economic exchange. A mwami headed a princely aristocracy (ganwa) which owned most of the land governing its subjects with superiority and required a tribute, or tax, from local farmers and herders who lived in forests. The Tutsi monarchy ruled the nation for centuries, but became largely ceremonial with the colonization of the nation by the German Empire in 1899. The kings continued to nominally rule through German and Belgian colonial periods, and the monarchy continued after the nation gained independence from Belgium in 1962. Burundi ceased to be a monarchy when king Ntare V Ndizeye was deposed by his Prime Minister and Chief of Staff, Colonel Michel Micombero, who abolished the monarchy and declared a republic following the November 1966 coup d'état.[1][2]

Kings of Burundi

Traditional list

The dates before 1900 are estimates.

  • Ntare I Rushatsi Cambarantama: c. 1530–c. 1550
  • Mwezi I Baridamunka: c. 1550–c. 1580
  • Mutaga I Mutabazi: c. 1580–c. 1600
  • Mwambutsa I Nkomati: c. 1600–c. 1620
  • Ntare II Kibogora: c. 1620–c. 1650
  • Mwezi II Nyaburunga: c. 1650–c. 1680
  • Mutaga II Senyamwiza Mutamo: c. 1680–c. 1700
  • Mwambutsa II Nyarushamba: c. 1700–c. 1720
  • Ntare III Kivimira Semuganzashamba: c. 1720–c. 1750
  • Mwezi III Kavuyimbo (Ndagushimiye): c. 1750–c. 1780
  • Mutaga III Sebitungwa: c. 1780–c. 1800
  • Mwambutsa III Mbonyuburundi (Mbariza): c. 1800–c. 1830
  • Ntare IV Runzi (Rutaganzwa Rugamba): c. 1830–c. 1850
  • Mwezi IV Gisabo Bikata-Bijoga: c. 1850–1908
  • Mutaga IV Mbikije: c. 1908–1915
  • Mwambutsa IV Bangiricenge Rubangishamiheto: 1915–1966
  • Ntare V Ndizeye: 1966

Modern list
Mwambutsa IV Bangiriceng, the penultimate king of Burundi.

Royal Standard
  • Royal Standard of Burundi (1962–1966).
    Royal Standard of Burundi (1962–1966).

See also

References
  1. "BURUNDI PREMIER SETS UP REPUBLIC; Micombero Asserts He Has Overthrown the King". The New York Times. 29 November 1966. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  2. "MICHEL MICOMBERO, 43, DIES; FORMER PRESIDENT OF BURUNDI". The New York Times. 18 July 1983. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  3. "Power in Burundi Seized By Absent King's Son, 21". The New York Times. 9 July 1966. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
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