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.
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.
19. King Litia Yeta III, CBE
¨ He was born in 1871 at Likapai. He was bestowed with the title of the Commander of the British Empire, c. 01st January, 1946.
¨ He ascended to the throne on 13th March, 1916.
¨ He attended the Coronation Ceremony of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey in London in 1937.
¨ He established Limulunga as the winter capital in 1930. He founded Naliele sub-capital in Mankoya (Kaoma) District under Senior Chief Mwanawina; and Nawinda sub-capital established under Senior Chief Kufuna in Balovale District. It was during his rule when Balovale (Zambezi) District was detached from Barotseland in 1940.
¨ He relinquished the throne on 20th June, 1945 owing to ill heath.
¨ His capital was Lealui
¨ His regiment was Imutakela
¨ His Ngambela was Mataa-wa-Ndiku, Munalula Mbangweta, Namakando Wina
¨ His shrine is in Mulumbo
20. King Mwanang’ono Imwiko I
¨ He was educated at Bethany House School, Goudhurst, Kent.
¨ He ascended to the throne in 1945 and demised in 1948. He spearheaded the establishment of Development Centre in Namushakende, and the Legislative Council
¨ His capital was Lealui
¨ His regiment was Imutakela
¨ Namakando Wina was his Ngambela
¨ His shrine is in Naloyela
21. King Mwanawina III, KBE
¨ He was born on the 07th February, 1888 at Lealui. He was bestowed with the title of the Knight Commander of the British Empire (KBE), c. 01st January, 1959. he was educated at PMS Missionary School in Barotseland, Lovedale College (South Africa), and University of Capetown, South Africa.
¨ He served in Great War as commander of Barotse Carriers in East African Campaign from 1916 to 1918. He was honored with Allied Victory and British War medals.
¨ He attended the Coronation Ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey in London in 1953.
¨ He ruled Barosteland from 1948 to 1968. He was knighted by the British in 1959.He signed the Barotseland Agreement, 1964 which integrated Northern Rhodesia to pave way for the independent Republic of Zambia
¨ His capital was in Lealui
¨ His regiment was Imutakela
¨ His Ngambela was Namakando Wina, Mukele Walubita, Imasiku Akabeswa, Muleta Imenda Minyambowe, Ndangwa Nooyo,and Imwaka Mahela
¨ His shrine is in Sikuli
22. King Mbikusita Lewanika II
¨ He was born in 1907 in Lealui. He received education from Barotse National School, University of Capetown (South Africa), University of Wales at Aberystwith.
¨ He ascended to the throne on 15th December, 1968, and died in 1977
¨ His capital was Lealui
¨ His regiment
¨ His Ngambela was Imwaka Mahela, Suu Lishomwa, and Mukande Musialike
¨ He initiated the Kuomboka-Kufuluela Committee in 1971 to expand the level of participation in the planning processes of the ceremonies
¨ His shrine is in Lishekandinde
23. King Ilute Yeta IV
¨ His capital was Lealui
¨ He utilized all the former regiments
¨ His Ngambela was Mukande Musialike, Sililo Mwandamena, Silumelume Siyubo
¨ His shrine is in Ndowana
24. King Lubosi Imwiko II
¨ He is the current Litunga
¨ His capital is Lealui
¨ He utilizes all the regiments
¨ Hitherto, he has had the following Ngambelas: Mukela Manyando, Imbuwa Imwaka, Imasiku Lyamunga, and Litia Walubita . . .
© 2009 Lubosi Muimui
Access Kuomboka
lubosimuimui@yahoo.co.uk
Cell Phone: +260 955 673 130
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