Bukumu kingdom (chefferie de Bukumu) is a traditional monarchy or authority of bakumu people of Nyirangongo Territory, North Kivu province of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
This traditional monarchy has existed since the 15th century having rulers called Mwami or King. They are sometimes referred to as chiefdoms a word used by the colonialists to lower their ranks. Like many other monarchies around the world, it has undergone succession wrangles with many regencies and power struggles between the Bigirwa and Butsitsi members of the Royal house. The royal family and their descendants are many, however this article fouses on the main line of succession.
The royal family
Mwami (King) Kahembe I Kabugunda Paul of kingdom (chefferie de Bukumu), Nyirangongo Territory, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo. He reigned from 1897-1945. He was succeeded by Mwami Kahembe II Benoit after a regency of 14 years. He is the first known photographed King. He has many descendants today.
Mwami (King) Kahembe II Butsitsi Benoit of Bukumu kingdom (chefferie de Bukumu), Nyirangongo Territory, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo. He reigned from 1961-1962. His reign was later followed by successive regencies. His children include
- Princess Jeanne Butsitsi
- Princess Bernadotte Butsitsi
- Late Mwami (King) Kahembe III Butsitsi
- Prince regent Jean Bosco Bigirwa Butsitsi
- Prince Carol Butsitsi
- Princess Helene Butsitsi
Queen Grand mother of Bukumu. She is wife to late King Kahembe II Benoit, Mother of late King Kahembe III Godefroid and grandmother to current King Kahembe IV Isaac.
Shamwami (regent) Bakungu Bigaruka II of Bukumu kingdom (chefferie de Bukumu), Nyirangongo Territory, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo. He reigned as regent from 1975-1995
Mwami (King) Kahembe III Butsitsi of Bukumu kingdom (chefferie de Bukumu), Nyirangongo Territory, North Kivu province of Democratic Republic of Congo. He was the son of late Mwami Kahembe II Benoit. He reigned from 1996 until his sudden assassination in 1997. He was assassinated alongside his cousin the king of Bwisha and 6 other employees. He was succeeded by his young son under regency of his brother Prince Jean Butsitsi. He left behind his wife and four children namely:
- Mwami Isaac Kahembe IV Butsitsi
- Princess Cynthia Butsitsi
- Princess Sarah Butsitsi
- Prince Ismael Butsitsi.
Queen mother (Omugabekatsi) Nyiraburanga Kashabuka Nicole of Bukumu kingdom (chefferie de Bukumu), Nyirangongo Territory, North Kivu province of Democratic Republic of Congo. She is the wife of. Late King (Mwami) Kahembe III Butsitsi Godefroid who reigned from 1996 until his assassination in 1997. She is the mother of current King (Mwami) Kahembe IV Isaac Butsitsi and 3 other siblings. The queen mother is a descendant of King Yuhi III Mazimpaka of Rwanda. She belongs to the Beneyuhi clan of tutsi congolese. Her great grandfather moved to Congo Masiisi Territory in the 1800s before colonial boundaries were drawn.
Mwami (King) Kahembe IV Isaac Butsitsi of Bukumu kingdom (chefferie de Bukumu), Nyirangongo Territory, North Kivu province of Democratic Republic of Congo. He is the son of late King Kahembe III who passed away in 1997 after an assassination. He succeded his late father at the young age of barely 2 years old under the regency of his uncle until 2016 when he took over officially.
Princess (Murutinyere) Cynthia Butsitsi of Bukumu kingdom (chefferie de Bukumu), Nyirangongo Territory, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo. She is the daughter of late King (Mwami) Kahembe III Butsitsi who was assassinated in 1997. Her brother Kahembe IV Isaac Butsitsi is the current King.
Princess (Murutinyere) Sarah Butsitsi of Bukumu kingdom (chefferie de Bukumu), Nyirangongo Territory, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo. She is the daughter of late King (Mwami) Kahembe III Butsitsi who was assassinated in 1997. Her brother Isaac Butsitsi Kahembe IV is th current King.
Prince (Mutwali) Ismael Butsitsi of Bukumu kingdom (chefferie de Bukumu), Nyirangongo Territory, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo. He is also Muruti (King’s brother). He is the son of late King Kahembe III who passed away in 1997 after a assassination. Heis the younger brother of current King Kahembe VI Isaac Butsitsi.
Prince Jean Bosco Bigirwa Butsitsi is the uncle of current Mwami Kahembe VI Isaac Butsitsi. He became his regent in 1998 after the death of his father since he could not attend to royal duties at the young age of 2. He spearheaded the regency until 2016. He is married with children namely:
- Prince Ramazani Butsitsi
- Princesse Nabakumu Butsitsi Sarah
- Prince Simba Butsitsi
- Princesse Laetitia Butsitsi
- Princesse Guylaine Butsitsi
- Prince Kisala Butsitsi
- Prince Godefroid Butsitsi
- Prince Nkuba Batahwa Butsitsi
- Prince Benoît Butsitsi
- Princesse Marie-Jeanne Butsitsi
Princess Bernadette Butsitsi of Bukumu kingdom (chefferie de Bukumu), Nyirangongo Territory, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo. She is the daughter of late Mwami Kahembe II, granddaughter of late Mwami Kahembe I of Bukumu and sister to late Mwami Kahembe III Butsitsi and Prince regent Jean Bosco Bigirwa Butsitsi of Bukumu. She is married to Mr Kiroko with children
Princess Jeanne Butsitsi of Bukumu kingdom(chefferie de Bukumu), Nyirangongo Territory, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo. She is the daughter and first child of late Mwami Kahembe II Benoit, granddaughter of late kings of Bukumu and sister to late Mwami Kahembe III Butsitsi. She was elected national deputy of North Kivu province in 2011 and founded the association Aprodebu which caters for Bukumu community poverty reduction.
Prince Carol Ntabyera Butsitsi Kahembe of Bukumu kingdom (chefferie de Bukumu), Nyirangongo Territory, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo. He is the son of late Mwami Kahembe II Benoit and brother of late Mwami Kahembe III Butsitsi.
Royal palace
Buhimba royal residence or palace is oneof the official residence of the King of Bukumu kingdom (chefferie de Bukumu), Nyirangongo Territory, North Kivu province of Democratic Republic of Congo. It was destroyed during the war in 1996 and is being rebuilt. On the same grounds re some graves of the late kings.
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