This page contains two version of the list of Kings of Burundi, the
traditional version and the modern genealogy.
The names of the Kings of Burundi 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 more 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 (mwani) headed a princely aristocracy (gwana) 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 kings continued through the colonial period, but each of the last kings was deposed in a coup d'état.
Kings of Burundi
The traditional list of Kings of Burundi. The dates before 1900 are estimates.
- Ntare I Kivimira Savuyimba Semunganzashamba Rushatsi Kambarantama: c.1530–c.1550
- Mwezi I: c.1550–c.1580
- Mutaga I: c.1580–c.1600
- Mwambutsa I: c.1600–c.1620
- Ntare II: c.1620–c.1650
- Mwezi II: c.1650–c.1680
- Mutaga II: c.1680–c.1700
- Mwambutsa II: c.1700–c.1720
- Ntare III: c.1720–c.1750
- Mwezi III Ndagushimiye: c.1750–c.1780
- Mutaga III Senyamwiza Mutamo: c.1780–c.1800
- Mwambutsa III Mbariza: c.1800–c.1830
- Ntare IV Rutaganzwa Rugamba: c.1830–c.1850
- Mwezi IV Gisabo Bikata-Bijogu: c.1850–1908
- Mutaga IV Mbikije: c.1908–1915
- Mwambutsa IV Bangiricenge: 1915–1966
- Ntare V Ndizeye: 1966–[1972]
Kings of Burundi, c.1680-1966
This is the modern genealogy:
See also