List of Kings of Burundi

This page contains two versions of the list of Kings of Burundi, the traditional version before 1680 and the modern genealogy. The regnal names of Burundian sovereigns, titled Mwami, 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.

In the 16th century, Burundi was a kingdom characterized by a hierarchical political authority and tributary economic exchange. A king (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 through the colonial period, but the last king was deposed in a coup d'état. Burundi ceased to be a monarchy when king Ntare V Ndizeye was deposed by his Prime Minister and Chief of Staff, Capt. Michel Micombero, who abolished the monarchy and declared a republic in 1966.

Kings of Burundi

The traditional list of Kings of Burundi. 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–[1972]

Kings of Burundi, c.1680-1966

This is the modern genealogy:

• Ntare III Rushatsi: c.1680–c.1709
• Mwezi III Ndagushimiye: c.1709–c.1739
• Mutaga III Senyamwiza Mutamo: c.1739–c.1767
• Mwambutsa III Serushambo Butama: c.1767–c.1796 (also known as Mwambutsa III Mbariza)
• Ntare IV Rutaganzwa Rugamba: c.1796–c.1850
• Mwezi IV Gisabo: c.1850–21 August 1908
• Mutaga IV Mbikije: 1908–30 November 1915
• Mwambutsa IV Bangiriceng: 16 December 1915–8 July 1966
• Ntare V Ndizeye: 1 September–28 November 1966

See also

• History of Burundi
• Kingdom of Burundi
• List of Presidents of Burundi
• Prime Minister of Burundi