The Kilindi dynasty (about 1730s to 1962), also called Mwene Kilindi in Shamabaa and Ufalme wa Kilindi in Swahili, was a royal family that ruled the Shambaa Kingdom in the Usambara Mountains of north-west Tanga Region for most of the 18th to 20th centuries. This area is now part of Lushoto District and Bumbuli District in modern-day Tanzania.

The dynasty was started by King Mbegha, who moved to the Usambara Mountains in the early 18th century and brought the Shambaa people together. The most well-known leader was King Kimweri ye Nyumbai, who died in 1862. The Shambaa kings were called Simba Mwene, which means "Lion King." The last recognized Lion King was Kimweri Mputa Magogo, who lived from 1914 to 2000. The Kilindi District in Tanga Region was named after this royal family.

Before the Kilindi dynasty, the most important ruler in the Usambara region was King Tuli, who ruled from Vugah in the West Usambaras. When King Mbegha, the first Kilindi ruler, arrived around AD 1740, it was during a time of conflict between groups. Mbegha came from the Nguu Mountains, which are south of the Usambaras, and his kingdom included the West Usambaras.

In 1790, Mbegha’s son, Bughe, became leader in Vuga, leading to a time of peace and growth. By AD 1800, Bughe’s successor, Shebughe, expanded the kingdom south into Wazigua territory and conquered the East Usambaras. Shebughe’s son, Kimweri ye Nyumbani, extended the kingdom’s reach to the coast below the Usambaras by AD 1835.

The kingdom grew largest under Kimweri ye Nyumbai. After his death in 1862, a civil war broke out over who would rule next, partly because of new wealth from trade routes in the Pangani valley.

During European rule (first by Germany, then by Britain), the dynasty still had some influence. However, in 1962, the Tanganyika government ended all power of hereditary rulers. Kimweri Mputa Magogo, a descendant of Kimweri ye Nyumbai, was the last king of the Usambaras.

Kilindi dynasty Rulers

The rulers of the Shambaa Kingdom, in order, are as follows:

• Mbegha (Founding King, 18th century): He created the kingdom.
• Bughe (2nd King, Son of Mbegha, around 1790 to 1800): He became king after Mbegha and helped establish strong leadership in the kingdom.
• Maua (Son of Mbegha): Few records exist about his rule, and he is often left out of important traditions.
• Kinyashi Muanga Ike (Son of Bughe): He expanded the kingdom but died in a battle against the Zigula.
• Mboza Mwaminu (Daughter of Bughe): After Bughe’s death, she became involved in a dispute over who would be the next king. Her role shows that women could influence leadership in the kingdom.
• Limo (3rd King, Son of a woman named Shembekeza): Because of Mboza Mwaminu’s influence, Limo was considered a possible king. The Vugha elders chose him, which caused problems for the kingdom’s unity.
• Kimweri ye Nyumbai (4th King, Son of Kinyashi Muanga Ike): He ruled from the 1830s to 1862 and strengthened the kingdom during its most powerful period.
• Mnkande (5th King, Son of Kimweri ye Nyumbai): He was next in line to be king but died before his father. His son, Shekulwavu, became the heir.
• Shekulwavu (6th King, Son of Mnkande, grandson of Kimweri ye Nyumbai): He became king during a time of conflict. His rule was strong at first, but after a major event, his power weakened.
• Shemboja (7th King, Son of Kimweri ye Nyumbai): He fought for power after his father’s death. He was involved in the slave trade during the 1870s and 1880s, which caused more violence and instability.
• Mputa Magogo (8th King of the Sambaa, executed in 1895): He became king after Kimweri Maguvu died. He was executed by German authorities for killing one of his wives’ lovers.
• Kimweri Maguvu (9th King, Son of Shemboja): He became king after Mputa Magogo’s death. He faced challenges from rival groups and wars with the Zigula and Bondei.
• Kimweri Magogo (10th and last king, born in 1914, died in 2000): His reign ended the traditional monarchy in the Shambaa Kingdom. His rule happened during a time of colonial influence and political change. He is remembered as the last king to represent the royal family before the kingdom changed its government structure.

Literature

• Feierman, Steven M. (1990). Peasant Intellectuals: Anthropology and History in Tanzania. University of Wisconsin Press. ISBN 978-0-299-12523-3.
• Giblin, James Leonard (1992). The Politics of Environmental Control in Northeastern Tanzania, 1840-1940. University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 978-0-8122-3177-9.
• Iliffe, John (10 May 1979). A Modern History of Tanganyika. Cambridge University Press. page 65. ISBN 978-0-521-29611-3. Retrieved on September 8, 2013.