M’mbelwa kingdom is a precolonial kingdom of the Ngoni people (Jele/jere clan) of Malawi. Today it is located in Mzimba District in the Republic of Malawi.
History of Jele Ngoni
Jele Ngoni (colonially erroed as Jere Ngoni)/Mzimba/Mbelwa Kingdom are a Ngoni ethnic group who are descendants of Zwangendaba kaZiguda Jele Gumbi, a Ndwande military general of King Shaka of the Zulu. He fled the Mfecane shaka zulu wars with his people and settled in Mapupo South Tanzania where he established his Ngoni monarchy. After the death of Zwangedaba, the Ngoni split into five groups who can today be seen in Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania. The Jele Ngoni have continued their tradition of crowning their monarchs to date. Their monarchs are called Inkosi ya Makosi (King of Kings) with their most famous being Inkosi ya Makosi Mbelwa II who is honoured in the 20 kwacha note for his contribution in Malawian Independence from the british colonials. Royal headquarters is Edingeni at Mzimba district
Photos courtesy of Inkosi ya Makosi Mbelwa V
Kings
Mmbelwa kingdom of Jele Ngoni is headed by a monarch called Inkosi ya Makosi which is translated as King. The current Inkosi ya Makosi is Mmbelwa V who succeeded his late father Inkosi ya Makosi Mmbelwa IV in 2013 (reigned 1984-2013).
- Inkosi ya Makosi Zwangendaba a Hlatshwayo – reign 1815 – 1848 no
- Regent Ntabeni – regent
- Regent Mgayi – regent
- Inkosi ya Makosi Gwaza Jere – reign 1857
- Inkosi ya Makosi M’mbelwa I – reign 1857 – 1891
- Regent Mwamba – regent 1891 – 1896
- Inkosi ya Makosi Cimtunga – reign 1896 – 1915
- Vacant – 1915 – 1928
- Inkosi ya Makosi M’mbelwa II – reign 1928 – 1959, he is honoured on the Malawi 20 kwacha currency for fighting against colonialism
- Inkosi ya Makosi M’mbelwa III – reign 1959 – May 1983
- Inkosi ya Makosi M’mbelwa IV – reign Feb 1984 – 12 Feb 2013
- Inkosi ya Makosi M’mbelwa V – reign 16 Feb 2013 –
Photos courtesy of Inkosi ya Makosi Mbelwa V
Inkosi ya Makosi Mmbelwa v married in a royal traditional ceremony and white royal wedding attended by president Joyce Banda of Malawi. See Coronation of the Queen
Photos courtesy of Inkosi ya Makosi Mbelwa V
Photos courtesy of inkosi ya makosi Mbelwa v /Facebook
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