List of rulers of Mutapa

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This is a list of the rulers of the Mutapa Empire.

List of rulers of Kingdom of Mutapa

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Territory located in present-day Zimbabwe.

Mwenemutapa = Lord of the Conquered Land.

Tenure Incumbent Notes
c.1430 Foundation of Mutapa Kingdom
c. 1430 to c. 1450 Nyatsimba Mutota, Mwenemutapa
c. 1450 to 1480 Matope Nyanhehwe Nebedza, Mwenemutapa
1480 Mavura Maobwe, Mwenemutapa
1480 to 1490 Nyahuma Mukombero, Mwenemutapa
1490 to 1494 Mavhuramhande, Mwenemutapa
1494 to c. 1530 Chikuyo Chisamarengu, Mwenemutapa
c. 1530 to c. 1550 Neshangwe Munembire, Mwenemutapa Neshangwe Munembiri ruled during the Rozvi Dynasty but he was not of the royal Moyo Chirandu clan (VaRozvi) He was a Njanja of the (Moyo Sinyoro clan). His father Gouveia was a Jew who ran away from Jewish persecution in the Iberian peninsula Serphad (Portugal/Spain) during the inquisitions.Gouveia married Chief Chirwa's daughter Princess Mashawashe making her a Gambiza(Ger Tzedek Hebrew for righteous foreigner) When her son Neshangwe became a Mutapa/King in true Hebrew fashion she became known as Gebirah Hebrew for (Queen Mother) These two terms are now corrupted to Gambiza which means (Stranger amongest us or Righteous Convert). InNjanja tradition Gambiza is a term adopted by all women who marry a Njanja man like a conversion. Neshangwe is currently a Njanja chieftainship in Buhera.
c. 1550 to 1560 Chivere Nyasoro, Mwenemutapa
1560 to 1589 Negomo Chirisamhuru, Mwenemutapa Granted Coat of Arms by King of Portugal
1589 to 1623 Gatsi Rusere, Mwenemutapa
1623 to 1629 Nyambo Kapararidze, Mwenemutapa Overthrown by the Portuguese
1629 Mutapa becomes a Portuguese Vassal
1629 to 1652 Mavura Mhande Felipe, Mwenemutapa Signs treaty of Vassalage with Portuguese; Dies of accidental gunshot wound.
1652 to 1663 Siti Kazurukamusapa, Mwenemutapa Son of Mavura; assassinated by Prazos merchants
1663 Mutapa becomes a Rozvi Vassal
1663 to 1692 Kamharapasu Mukombwe, Mwenemutapa Allies with Rozvi and throws out Prazos
1692 to 1694 Nyakambira, Mwenemutapa Assumes throne with Rozvi support; Rozwi vassal king of Manyika after 1694
1694 Mutapa returns to Portuguese vassalage
1694 to 1707 Nyamhande, Mwenemutapa Defeats Nyakiambira with Portuguese support
1707 to 1711 Nyenyedzi Zenda, Mwenemutapa
1711 to 1712 Baroma Mugwagwa, Mwenemutapa Overthrown and retreats to Chidima
1712 Mutapa returns to Rozvi vassalge
1712 to 1723 Samatambira Nyamhandu I, Mwenemutapa Installed by Rozvi invasion
1720 Mutapa independent of Rozvi; moves capital to Chikova in 1723
1723 to 1735 Samatambira Nyamhandu I, Mwenemutapa Rules in close alliance with Portuguese at Tete
1735 to 1740 Nyatsusu, Mwenemutapa
1740 to 1759 Dehwe Mapunzaguta, Mwenemutapa Has Portuguese garrison reinstated at royal capital.
1760 Mutapa collapses in Civil War; dynasty survives in Chidima
? to 1917 Chioko Killed in battle with the Portuguese

Sources

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  • Stewart, John (1989). African States and Rulers. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc. pp. 395. ISBN 0-89950-390-X.