THE LITUNGA
by Lubosi Muimui
The Litunga is the sole Supreme Ruler of the Lozi (Luyana) Nation. The Lozi mythology states that the Litunga was ordained by Nyambe (God). It is further dictated that Nyambe ascended to Heaven and apportioned the reign between Himself and Mwambwa. At the time Nyambe was on earth, Mwambwa was his wife; and she was bequeathed with the ruling power on His accession.
The mythology further states that Nyambe ascended together with the sun, the infinite fire that will blaze for Him as long as He dwells in the Litooma (Heaven); and that the Litunga was bestowed with Lienga (see below), the infinite fire that will glow as long as the Litunga dwells the Liondo, the Ngulu, the Bulozi or the Barotseland.
Litunga is a Luyana word which literally translates
to “land” or “nation”. A common Luyana eulogy, “ta
minya mupu na ng’ombe”, which states that he owns all the land and all the animals defines
the magnitude of his incumbency. Another eulogy, “mbumu
to minyo uluyi ni itondo na bika ni ngombe”, proclaims that the king is the sole owner of the Lozi
nation, the air, the land and water, servants and animals.
The deliberations of installing the new Litunga are
tradition and strictly carried out by the senior members of the
royal family, the Kuta, and the priest-guardians. The preparations
start once the new moon breaks the sky. This is the time strongly
believed to be highly favorable for the good omens because Nyambe
ascended to the Heaven when the new moon broke the sky, too.
The prince to be installed is seized secretly at
night and taken to Makono where some detailed secret rites which
clothe him with the power of the day and night shall be performed.
During that night, the white water cow, the
Liombekalala, which represents the legitimating of Mbuywamwambwa,
the mother of the first male Litunga, will lick the Litunga-to-be,
to confer the power and wisdom from the infinite and universal
source. The huge monstrous water snake, Lingongole, which represents
the spirit of the waters of the Lozi land, is also involved.
Early in the morning of the next day, the prince will
embark on the Nalikwanda. He will be given two sticks which he will
rub together against the maize stalks stuffed in a pot-shard. The
fire will eventually erupt on the pot-shard.
He will be taken to Ikatulamwa for further rituals
and afterwards, to Lealui with the new fire burning in the pot
shard.
Upon his arrival, he is settled on top of a war drum,
the Lioma while men perform the warrior dance, Ngomalume. Women will
then take turns fetching the new fire, which came with new Litunga,
to rekindle their hearths which were put out on the day the previous
Litunga demised.
Finally, all the people pay the royal homage, Ku Shoelela, an indication that they are contended to be bestowed with the new Litunga. The prince then ceases to be the “owner of his body”, he is now the Litunga.
Finally, all the people pay the royal homage, Ku Shoelela, an indication that they are contended to be bestowed with the new Litunga. The prince then ceases to be the “owner of his body”, he is now the Litunga.
The strict Luyana and Lozi tradition strongly
dictates that a man can only mount upon the title of the Litunga by
undergoing through the process of prescribed rites. A few have been
mentioned above. However, a very small number of individuals have
ascended as rulers but without the title, insignia, powers or
functions of the Litunga.
Unlike the Lozi princes [Bana-ba-Malena (plural),
Mwana-Mulena (singular)] such as Prince Imbuwa and Prince Meebelo
who were dully elected by the noble Lozis in exile, Sebitwane and
his dynasty were totally fiendish and could be termed by a title of
Mung’ete, the interloper, because he had seized his accession by
force of arms.
Although these princes were dully elected, they could
not exercise the title, office or functions of the Litunga because
they were not baked through the prescribed rituals.
To this effect, the Lozi tradition strongly states
that the Litunga is the sole secular leader mandated by the universe
to poses and discharge functions that are considered to be equal to
the spiritual functions of Nyambe. He is therefore seen as the most
powerful ordained ruler not only in Zambia, but the world over. This
observation has evolved from time immemorial.
The Litunga leads and rules the Lozi nation of a rich
background, bravely and political influence. The office of the
Litunga has provided very decisive leadership in times where
political mutual understanding or crises are imminent. And their
decisions have shaped many important events in Zambian and
south-central African political history.
The Litunga has many functions and performs many obligations. The Lozi have great love and respect for the Litunga and have coined a number of eulogies and expressions, which have evolved for centuries, and define his obligations to the Lozi nation; and, likewise, their obligations to him.
“Mbumu ni wa maci uwaneni mubika ngombe lukulwa mibonda,” Is a eulogy which proclaims the Litunga as the fountain of wealth to whom the needy must appeal for assistance.
“Mwele no sikela,” states that the Litunga is the sovereign arbitrator from whom
justice and peace oozes.
The Litunga is bound to carry out several roles and obligations.
1. As
the Supreme
Executive, the
Litunga is perceived as Kaongolo
ka Nyambe, a creature (insect) of God. He is the Extraordinary Plenipotentiary
Ambassador of Nyambe (God). The Litunga is the bridge between his
people and Nyambe. The nation relies on him to serve the interests
of nature such as rain and good harvests. Through the intercession
with God, the Litunga is believed to have the power that can avert
feminine, drought, diseases, and the flush floods.
¨ He
has the mandate of negotiating, executing and enforcing issues
relating to land and natural resources.
¨ He
employs a variety of powers to carry out the administrative duties.
The custom has reserved him the emergency powers—that
is, special authority to prevent or terminate a national emergency.
¨ The
Litunga also may issue executive orders. These are directions, proclamations, or other statements that have
the force of laws. The famous proclamation is the Abolition of
Slavery Proclamation which King Lewanika made on the 16th July, 1906. Other examples which fall under this category include:
* The
negotiations, execution and reviewing of former or fresh Treats and
Concessions, including the Baroseland Agreement of 1964 which were
entered by the predecessors are all sovereign obligations of the
Litunga.
* The
participation of Litunga Lewanika in the conference held on 08th January, 1912 which established the South African Native National
Congress. Lewanika was one of the seven paramount leaders who were
appointed as Honorary President and formed up the Upper House,
serves as an example.
* The
Litunga has the power of establishing new chiefdoms, erecting
boundaries, or excising a section of his land. Balovale (Zambezi)
District was excised from Barotseland in 1941.
2. As Commandant of the Lozi nation, the Litunga’s main duties are to defend his
country during the wartime and upheavals, and to keep it in harmony
during peacetime. He is obliged to initiate strategies which
harmonize the welfare of his people and to ward off all internal and
external threats. Instances that form as examples are:
¨ The
raid of the Ila and Toka people of 1882 by which Lewanika secured
about 20,000 cattle and a number of slaves. A similar incursion was
staged again in 1888.
¨ The
partnership that Lewanika formed with the British Government is
another example. This was an initiative of seeking protection from
the Ndebele, the Portuguese, and Germans.
¨ Litunga
Lewanika released his son Mwanawina to serve in Great War and was
promoted to the rank of Commander for the East African operations in
1916—1918.
3. As the Custodian of the Lozi Culture,
the Litunga mounts on performances which teach, supervise,
invigorate and revitalize the customary and traditional practices
among his people. It is a natural phenomenon to witness the Litunga
dancing Ngomalume, supervising the royal drummers, or to tune the
pitch of the Silozi or Nkoya xylophone.
4. As the Legate
of the Crown,
the incumbent Litunga is the solitary representative of all his
predecessors. He is expected to show pride in the achievements and
practices of the monarchy and the Litugaship that has evolved for
centuries. He is expected to consult with (ku shea), to seek
guidance, and uphold the sentiments and decisions of his
predecessors.
THE LIST OF THE QUEENS AND KINGS WHO RULED THE
BAROTSELAND
1. Queen Mwambwa
¨ She
is the founderess of the Lozi Kingdom. The Lozi tradition states she
was married to Nyambe, the god. And that Nyambe ascended to Litooma,
the heaven, in fear of Kamunu, the human being, whose aptitude was
replicating that of Nyambe. As Nyambe ascended, he left and
bequeathed onto Mwambwa some queenly authority and estate. She built
her capital at Sifuluti Village, located in the present-day Kalabo
District of Zambia. Her royal shrine is known as Sangaulu found in
the Lukulu District, Zambia.
2. Queen Mbuywamwambwa
¨ She
ascended to the throne on the death of Mwambwa, her mother. She had
left for Kaumbu in the Lunda country, a place now found in the
Democratic Republic of Congo. Upon her return, she asked Kuta, the
Council, to install a male Litunga. Mboo Muyunda was installed as
the first male Litunga. Her mother, Mbuywamwambwa remained as the
Makoshi (Natambumu), the mother and prime feminine advisor to the
Litunga.
¨ Her
Ngambela was Ndopu Akalondo
¨ Her
regiment was Nakandundu
¨ Her
royal shrine is Makono
3. King Mboo Muyunda Mwanasilundu
¨ His
capital was Likuyu
¨ His
regiment was Ng’undwe
¨ His
Ngambela was Ing’uwa and Imbala
¨ He
was buried in Ikatulamwa. But later on, his shrine was found open
and empty. An extensive search found the kingly property he was
buried with in a new shrine in Imwambo. He is therefore believed to
have shifted to Imwambo.
4. King Inyambo
¨ His
capital was Makululalo
¨ His
regiment was Kabeti
¨ His
Ngambela was Imandi Liomba
¨ His
shrine is in Liondo
5. King Yeta I Ya Musa
¨ His
capital was Mwandi
¨ His
regiment was Suyaela
¨ His
Ngambela was Angulu
¨ His
shrine is in Namanda
6. King Ngalama wa Ingalamwa
¨ His
capital was Likwa
¨ His
regiment was Kawayo
¨ His
Ngambela was Iwake, Namunda, and Malende Sikwanda-kwanda
¨ His
shrine is in Kwandu
7. King Yeta II Nalute Mucabatu
¨ His
capital was Imutenda
¨ His
regiment was Mbanda
¨ His
Ngambela was Iwake
¨ His
shrine was Nandopu
8. King Ngombala
¨ His
capital was Nakaywe. He standardized the flow of tribute goods by
installing the Lindumeleti, Ambassadors, among the conquered people.
In this way, the Litunga also monopolized the central market which
entailed a barter system because the flood plains were rich of
maize, fish, and cattle which they Luyana exchanged with dugouts,
honey, and bark-fibers which came from outlying areas.
¨ His
regiment was Imutakela
¨ His
Ngambela was Namunda Katanekwa
¨ His
shrine is in Ng’undu
9. King Yubya Ikandanda
¨ His
capital was Nakaywe
¨ He
utilized all the former regiments
¨ His
Ngambela was Nambayo
¨ His
shrine is in Namayula
10. King Mwanawina I
¨ His
capital was Naliele
¨ His
regiment was Imutakela
¨ His
Ngambela was Namuyamba
¨ His
shrine is in Lieneno
11. King Mwananyanda Liwale
¨ His
capital was Naliele
¨ His
regiment was Imutakela
¨ His
Ngambela was Muswa
¨ His
shrine is in Kasiku
12. King Mulambwa Santulu
¨ He
is well remembered for his dear love to nature and the animals. But
he is prominently remembered for founding and promulgating laws
relating to marriages and property. He died, c. July, 1830.
¨ His
capital was Lilundu
¨ His
regiment was Imutakela
¨ His
Ngambela was Muswa
¨ His
shrine is in Lilundu
13. King Silumelume Muimui
¨ He
was the son of Mulambwa Santulu. He ascended to the throne on the
death of his father, c. 1830. He was assassinated during the
performances at the Kuta.
¨ His
capital was Lilundu
¨ His
regiment was Imutakela
¨ His
Ngambela was Muswa
¨ His
shrine is in Namaweshi
14. King Mubukwanu
¨ He
was the son of Mulambwa. He ascended to the throne on the death of
his younger brother, Silumelume. He was defeated by Sebitwane. He
fled and sought refuge at Lipu Island. He was poisoned by his wife
and died at Lukulu Fort, c. 1840.
¨ His
capital was
¨ His
regiment was Imutakela
¨ His
Ngambela was Omei
¨ His
shrine is in
UNDER THE KOLOLO INTERRUGNUM
A. Sebitwane
B. Mamucisane
C. Sekeletu
D. Litali
IN THE INTERNAL EXILE
I. Mwana-Mulena Imasiku Mubukwanu
II. Mwana-Mulena Imbuwa
¨ He
was declared as the ruler of the Luyana upon the death of his
father, Mubukwanu. He was equally expelled by the Kololo and fled
with his party across the Kabompo River and settled in Lukwakwa
region. He was assassinated by the Mbunda people, c. 1860.
III. Mwana-Mulena Meebelo Anang’anga
15. King Sipopa Lutangu
¨ He
was forced into exile by the Mbunda who killed Imasiku. He mobilised
the Luyana nobles who staged a war against the Kololo. He defeated
the Kololo and was proclaimed as the ruler at Sola Village in Jun,
1864. He built his summer capital at Mukoko Village and winter
capital at Nangulwe.
¨ He
established the Lozi Kingdom in 1864
AFTER THE BAROSTE RESTORATION
16. King Mwanawina II
¨ He
was declared as the ruler of the Lozi August, 1876 at Katongo,
Sesheke. The succession proceedings were finalized and he ascended
to the throne in October, 1876. He was ousted by his nobles, who
preferred his cousin, Lubosi, in May, 1878. He was killed by poison
and starvation in 1879 on an island namely Ng’ambwe.
¨ His
capital was Liandwe
¨ His
regiment was Kabeti
¨ His
Ngambela was Mamili
¨ His
shrine is in Ng’ambwe, Sesheke District
17. King Lubosi – 1st Regime
¨ He
was born in 1842 in Nyengo. The Lozi nobles proclaimed him as the
next Litunga soon after the death of his cousin, Mwanawina II. He
ascended to the throne in August of 1878. He shifted his capital
from Sesheke to Lealui and founded Lubachi as his winter capital. He
was deposed by Ngambela Mataa in September, 1884 who installed
Tatila Akufuna. He fled to Mashi.
¨ He
set up the Barotse Native Police in 1893.
¨ His
regiment was Imutakela
¨ His
Ngambela was Silumbu Akapelwa
¨ Lubosi
Lewanika – 2nd Regime
¨ On
the 04th November, 1885, Lubosi recuperated his throne by a bloody battle
which toppled Akufuna.
¨ He
attended Coronation Ceremonies of King Edward VII and Queen
Alexandra at Westminster Abbey in London in 1902. He was decorated
with the medals of King Edward VII in 1902, and King George V in
1911.
¨ He
abolished slavery on 16th July, 1906, signed the Ware Concession on
27th June, 1889, Lochner Concession on 26th June, 1890.
¨ He
maintained Imutakela as his regiment
¨ He
maintained Lealui as his capital
¨ His
Ngambela was Mwauluka Nasibebo, Mukamba Njekwa, and Mataa-wa-Ndiku
18. King Tatila Akufuna
¨ He
was the eldest son of Mwana’ Mulena Imbuwa Mulambwa. He ascended to
the throne by coup d’état which was led by Ngambela Mataa and
overthrew Lubosi Lewanika in 1884. The coup was however reversed in
1885, and Lewanika regained the throne
¨ His
capital was Lealui
¨ He
utilized all the former regiments
¨ His
Ngambela was Mataa
¨ He
was ousted on 04th November, 1885 and fled to Mashukulumbwe region where he was
assassinated by Mulanziana Sitwala, c. 1887.
