A Compilation of various royal titles in local languages and address from common english substitutes. Note some may lack direct substitutes and meanings differ in different royal monarchies. Information may also be prone to errors in translation to english. The names may also mean differently from their address
NB. European colonial governments lower ranked our kings and emperors into paramount chiefs and chiefs. Unfortunately this has been continued by our modern African governments
eSwatini (Kingdom of eSwatini)
King – Ingwenyama (lion, actual name for lion is libhubesi) or Inkhosi
Queen Mother (King’s mother) – Indlovukati (she- elephant)
Reigning King’s wife – Inkhosikati with prefix HRH ,plural is Emakhosikati (also used to refer to married woman)
Late King’s wives – Balodolozi
Prince or Princess – Umntfwanenkhosi (child of a king) or Lizinyane used for a child of a reigning King, Plural is Emazinyane. Lizinyane means lion’s cub
Chief – Sikhulu, wife is Inkhosikati. (Only men serve as chiefs, women can serve only as Regents
Governor = indvuna
(Special Acknoweldgement to Hussein Mncedisi Arnold)
Lesotho (Kingdom of Lesotho)
King – Motlotlehi
Queen – Mofumahali Motlotlehi
Prince – Khosana
Princess – Khosatsana
Principal chief – Morena oa Sehloho
Chief – Morena
Chieftainess – Mofumahali (also used for married women)
(Special Acknowledgement to Queen Sekhothali Mabhena )
Morocco (Kingdom of Morocco)
King formerly was sultan
Princess consort – title first given by king Mohammed VI to his wife Lalla Salma in 2001
Crown Prince – title accompanied by Sidi
Prince – title accompanied by Moulay (male line)
Princess – title accompanied by Lalla (male line)
Lalla – title for female royal members of the male line
Sharifa – title for royal women born of female line
Moulay – title for royal men of the family
RWANDA (Kingdom of Rwanda)
King – Mwami/Umwami
Queen – Mwamikazi (title never exsted before and was only used by Queen Rosalie Gicanda)
Queen mother – Umugabekazi
Prince – Igikomangoma
Princess – Igikomangomakazi
(Special Acknowledgement to Prince Mutijima of Rwanda)
BURUNDI (Kingdom of Burundi)
King – Mwami/Umwami
Queen – Mwamikazi
Queen mother – Mugabekazi
Prince – Muganwa
Princess – Muganwakazi
ETHIOPIA
Emperor – Negusa Nagast
Empress (Female ruler) – Negesta Nagastat
Empress consort / wife of emeperor – Itege
King – Negus ( Used by rulers of inflntial provinces/kingdoms under ethiopia)
Prince – Leul
Princess – Leelt
Duke – Ras
Bahr Negus – King of Medri bahri kingdom today ethiopia (means King of Sea)
Sultan – Title for the five rulers of Afar people of horn of Africa
SOUTH AFRICA
Zulu Kingdom of AmaZulu people, South Africa
King – Ingonyama or ISilo among others
Queen – uMkankosi (wife of King), uNdlunkulu (plural iNdlunkulu) used by ladies who marry into the royal family,
Queen Mother – Indlovukazi (also applied to Queen regents)
Prince – UMntwana
Princess – UMntwana
Zinyane, Plural Amazinyane – children of a lion
Chief – iNkosi
Headman – Induna
(Special Acknowledgement to Princess Sinethemba Kazwelithini, Thami Zulu)
Thembu, Xhosa, Rharhabe, Mpondo, Mpondomise Kingdoms, South Africa
King – iKumkani
Queen – iKumkanikazi
Queen Mother – iNdlunkulu (Great royal house)
Prince – iNkosana
Princess – iNkosazana
Chief – iNkosi
Ndebele Kingdom, South Africa (Manala and Ndzundza royal clans)
King – iNgwenyama
Queen – iNdlovukazi (used for great wife of royal blood)
Non royal wife – Kosikazi, also chiefs wife
Queen Mother – Ugogo Wesitjaba (Manala)
– ngu Gogo westjhaba (Ndzundza)
Prince – ikosana
Princess – ikosazana
Chief – iKosi, wife called ikosikazi
(Special Acknowledgement to Queen Sekhothali Mabhena and Princess Simangaliso Mahlangu)
BaPedi Kingdom of Pedi people, South Africa
King – Kgoshikgolo
Queen – Kgoshigadi
Queen Mother – Mma Kgoshi
Prince – Kgoshana
Princess – Kgoshatana
Chief – Kgoshi
(Special Acknowledgement to General Bauba)
BaLobedu monarchy of Lobedu people, South Africa
King or Rain Queen – Khosikholo, Modjadji being the reign name which means ruler of the day.
Prince – Mokhololo (plural Bhakololo)
Princess – Mokhololo (plural Bhakololo)
Chief – Khosi
Also kings/queens and chiefs are called Bamosata as a sign of respect/praise name. Mosata is royal compound
(Special acknowledgment to Molodzwi)
VhaVenda, South Africa
King – Khosikhulu (Mphephu Ramabulana royal house)
King/Paramount chiefs – Thovhele/Khosi (Tshivhase and Mphaphuli royal houses)
Prince – Mukololo
Princess – Mukololo
Chief – Vhamusanda
(Special acknowledgment to Ondwela Tshivhase)
Tswana people, South Africa and Botswana
Tswana people of South Africa and Botswana are organized not under one kingdom but under many smaller kingdoms groups each with their own monarch. For this, some consider them chiefs others Kings. Tswana means to break away due to their history of breaking away to form their own tribes. Tswana groups include Bafokeng, Bakwena, Barolong, etc
King – Kgosikgolo sometimes simply as Kgosi
Chief – Kgosi
Queen – Kgosikgadi/Mmarona
Queen mother – Mohumagadi
Mmemogolo – Great mother. Title was used affectionatly by Bafokeng to address late queen mother Semane Molotlegi
Other Common titles
Kgosikgolo – King
Kgosi/Kgoshi/ Hosi/ Nkosi/ Inkosi / Inkhosi – Chief, some use it for King
Kgosigadi / Hosikazi / Inkosikazi/ Inkhosikati – wife of a Chief, some use it for Queen
UGANDA
Tooro Kingdom & BunyoroKitara kingdoms, Uganda
King – Omukama (actual meaning is Milkman)
Queen – Omugo (Wife of Omukama)
Queen Mother (King’s mother) – Namasole
Prince – Omubiito
Princess – Omubiitokati
Buganda kingdom of BaGanda people, Uganda
King – Kabaka
Queen – Nnabagereka
King’s sister – Lubuga (installed with the king as advisor)
King’s sister – Nnalinya (incharge of royal tombs)
Queen Mother ( King’s mother) – Namasole
Prince – Omulangira (means male royal member)
Princess – Omumbejja (means female royal member)
Clan Chief – Bataka
Prime minister – Katiikiro
Rwenzururu kingdom, Uganda
King – Omusinga
Queen – Nyabaghole
Ankole / Nkore Kingdom of Ankole people, Uganda
King – Omugabe
Queen – Omwigarire
Prime minister – Enganzi
Busoga kingdom of Soga people, Uganda
King – Isebantu Kyabazinga (Isebantu means father of the people)
Queen – Inhebantu
Chief of Bugabula – Gabula
Chief of Bulamogi – Zibondo
Chief of Kigulu – Ngobi
Chief of Luuka- Tabingwa
Chief of Bukono – Nkono
Chief of Bukooli – Wakooli
Chief of Butembe – Ntembe
Chief of Bugweri – Menha
Chief of Busiki – Kisiki
Chief of Bunha – Luba
Chief of Bunhole – Nanhumba
Prime Minister – Katukiro
Lango people
Paramount Chief – Won Nyaci
Acholi people
Paramount Chief – Rwot
Alur people
King/ Paramount Chief – Ubimu
Queen –
Queen mother – Min Ubimu
Prince – WoRwoth
Princess – NyaRwoth
Chief – Rwoth
(Special Acknowledgement to prince Japamora)
BuGwere/baGwere people
King – Ikumbania
Kooki people
Monarch – Kamuswaga
Queen – Omugo
BaRuuli people
Monarch (King or chief) – Isabaruuli
Teso people
Monarch/ Paramaount chief – Emorimor
BaGisu/BaMaasaba people
Monarch – Umukuuka
Banyala people
Monarch – Ssabanyala or Omukama
Bwamba people
King – Omudhinginya (means Elephant)
Padhola people
Monarch – Kwar Adhola
Busongora people
King- Omukama previously Omubiito
Queen – Omugo
Queen mother – Omugabekati
NIGERIA
Nigeria has over 500 traditional monarchjs each with their own title, see here Traditional Kings of Nigeria
King – Oba or Kabiyesi is gemerally for Yorubas and used as a prefix before their name but there are specific titles for specific monarchies
King – Igwe is generally used for Igbo Kings and used as a prefix before their name but there are specific titles for specific monarchies
Emir – local titles Sarkin, Mai, Shehu are used for the emirates in Northern Nigeria
Adele – Crowned princess who serves as regent after her fathers death before another male successor king is chosen. Ondo and Ekiti state
Kings and Emirs
Olu – King of Warri kingdom of Itsekiri people
Tor Tiv – King of Tiv people
Obong – King of Efik peple
Ndidem – King of Qua or Ejagam people
Oba- King of Benin kingdom of Edo people
Ooni – King of Ife kingdom of Yoruba people 9SOURCE OF yorubas race0
Alaafin – King of Oyo empire
Muri Munene – King of Efut people
Elegushi – King of Ikate kingdom
Alara – King of Ilara
Onisabe – King of Igbobi sabe
Sarkin (Emir) – rulers of most Northern nigeria emirates
Shehu – Ruler of borno, bama
Etsu – Ruler of Nupe, Patigi etc
Oniru – King of Iru kingdom
Olowu – King of Igbara oke, King of Owu kuta
Oluwo – King of iwo
Peremabowei or Pere – King of Kabowei Kingdom
Oluboropa – King of Iboropa
Amayanabo / Amanyanabo – King of Kalabari , King of Ke, King of Ogichiri, King of Abonnema
Olofa – King of Offa
Abepa – King of Joga
Oliyere – King of Iyere
Timi – King of Ede
Obi – King of Oligbo
Odemo – King of isara
Onipokia – King of Ipokia
Dein – King of Agbor kingdom
Ataoja- King of Osogbo,
Deji – King of Akure
see full List here – Traditional Kings of Nigeria
Queens
Olori – Title for queen consort /wife of Oba, used by Yoruba people
Lolo – Title for Queen consort , used by Igbo people
Iya oba – Title for Queen mother / Kings mother
Oloi – Title for Queen consort to Oba of Benin kingdom
Alamerefa – Title for Queen consort/wife to Peremabowei (King) of Kabowei
Amayanabota – Title for Queen consort /wife to Amayanabo
Erelu Kuti – Title for Queen mother of Lagos
Yeye Oodua – Title for Queen mother of Ife
Yeyelowu – Title for Senior queen of Olowu of Owukuta
Yeyesa – Title for Queen consort / Wife of Oliyere of Iyere
Ayaba – Title for queen consort of Oyo, Wife to Alaafin of Oyo
Anasi Obi – Title for Queen consort to Obi of Oligbo
Ya Gumsu – Title for Queen consort or first lady of Lafia emirate, wife to Emir of Lafia
child of king in Yoruba – OmoOba used by Prince and Princess
CONGO Region
Mwenekongo -Title for King/Emperor of Kongo people/ kingdom (Corrupted by whites to Manikongo)
Mwami – Title for many kings and some chiefs of the tribal monsrchies in eastern DRC, similar to Rwanda, Burundi and western Tanzania monarchies
Mwami Naluhwindja -Title for King of Luhwindja kingdom
Mwami Nakaziba – Title forKing of Kaziba kingdom
Nyim -Title for King of BaKuba kingdom, Kuba people
Mwami nabushi -Title for King of Kabare kingdom,Shi people
Mulopwe – Title for emperor or king of Luba, King of Basanga
Mwaant Yaav – Title for Emperor of Lunda empire/ people
Kiamvu or Kiamfu – Title for King of Kasongo Lunda people
Mwami Msiri – Title for King of Gareganze kingdom of BaYeke people
Kiamvu – Title for King of Kasongo Lunda
Moe – Title for King of Loango Kingdom
see full list here – Traditional Kings of Congo
Kongo kingdom
Mwenekongo -Title for King/Emperor of Kongo people/ kingdom (Corrupted by whites to Manikongo)
Infante – Prince (adopted from Portuegese influence)
Mfumu – title meaning Lord or Chief
Ntinu – Title for lesser vassal Kings under Kongo eg King of Soyo
Soba – Title for Chief
Eastern DRC kingdoms (Cheferrie)
Most commonly, other titles differ
King – Mwami
Queen/ queen mother – Mwamikazi
Luhwindja Kingdom, DRC cONGO
King – Mwami NaLuhwindja
Queen – Makamba
Queen mother/Kings mother – Mwamikazi, becomes Mwamikazi after her husbands passing and is mother of the new king
Prince – Murwhali
Princess – Murhwalikazi
Chiefs –
Kingdom – Bwami (can also mean royal court or palace)
(Special Acknowledgement to HM Mwami Naluhwindja Tony Chibwire)
Kabare kingdom of Shi people, South Kivu DRC Congo
King – Mwami
Queen – Makamba
Queen mother – Mwamikazi
Prince – Muluzi
Princess – Muluzi Munyere
Chiefs – Bajinji
Kingdom – Bwami (can also mean royal court or palace)
(Special Acknowledgement to Prince Alexandre Kabare)
Bukumu Kingdom of Bakumu people, North Kivu DRC Congo
King – Mwami
Queen – Mwamikazi
Queen mother – Omugabekatsi
Prince – Mutwali
Kings brother – Muruti
Princess – Murutinyere
(Special Acknowledgement to Mwami Kahembe Isaac Butsitsi)
CAMEROON
Nfon/Fon/Mfon – Title for King of Bamoun people, King of Bana, King of Balikumbat, King of Bafut, King of Babungo, King of Bafaw, King of Mankon, King of Oku
Neh Manju or Nah Mfon – Queen mother (Kings mother) of Bamoun Kingdom
Momamfon – Title for Princess Coheir (Bamoun people)
Fo/ Fo,o – Title for King of Baham, King of Bamendjou, King of Bakondji, King of Bafoussam,
FoA-Djo – King of Bandjoun
Sultan – Title for Muslim rulers of Wandala/Mandara, Ruler of Logone-Birni, Ruler of Bouba, King of Bamon
Lamido – Title for Ruler of Bibemi, Ruler of Mokolo, Ruler of Maroua, Ruler of Mogode,, Ruler of Ngaoundere,
MALAWI
Ingwenyama Inkosi ya Makosi – Title for King of Maseko ngoni,
Inkosi ya Makosi – Title for king of Jele ngoni, King of Ngoni of Tanzania. Literally means King of Kings/Emperor
Inkosikazimkhulu – Title for Senior Queen of Maseko Ngoni
Inkosikazi – Queen, wife of chief
Indlovukazi – Title for Queen mother of Ngoni clans,, also used for queen of Jele Ngoni
Themba la mathemba Chikulamayembe – Title for king/paramount chief of Tumbuka people means King of Kings
Ntemi gwa Batemi Kyungu – King/Paramount chief of Ngonde people
Mwene wa Mamwene – Title for Paramount chief of Lhomwe people
Inkosana – Title for Prince of the Ngoni clans
Inkosazana – Title for Princess of the Ngoni clans
Inkosi – chief both male or female
see ful list here – Traditional Kings of Malawi
KENYA
Nabongo – Title for King of Wanga Kingdom / Abawanga
Haye ywe Ngaji – Title for King of Pokomo
Oloibon/ Laibon – Title for ruler of Maasai people, both spiritual and political
Orkoiyot – Title for Political and spiritual ruler of Nandi people
Mugwe – Title for Ruler/Spiritual leader of Meru people
Njuri Ncheeke – Title for Council of elders of Meru People
Rwoth – Title for Ruler/Chief of Luo people
Sultan – Title for clan chiefs of the somali clans
Sheikh – Title for rulers of historic coastal towns/sultanates of kenya
TANZANIA
Ntemi/ Mtemi -Title for king or chief of the Sukuma people, Nyamwezi people
Mtwa -Title for King or chief of Hehe people
Sultan – Title for ruler of Zanzibar sultanate, also used in neighbouring Comoros and Seychelles
Mwami – Title for Kings of Ha people of western Tanzania
Mfalme/Mfaume – King in Swahili language, also used in neigbhouring Comoros and Seychelles
GHANA
Asantehene – Title for King / emperor of Ashanti
Asantehemaa – Title for Queenmother of Ashanti
Naa – Title for King of Wala people
Ga Mantse – Title for King of Ga people
Awoamefia – Title for King of Anlo Ewe people
Yaa Naa– Title for King of Dagomba people or Dagbon Kingdom
Bakwu Naba – Title for Ruler of Bakwu people
Nayiri – Title for King of Mamprusi people of Mamprong kingdom
Yabbongwura – title for King of Gonjs people/ kingdom
Okyehene – Title for King of Okyeman people/ Akyem Abuakwa people
Okuapehene – title for ruler of Akuapem area of Okuapeman people
CHAD
Sultan – Title used by all traditional monarchs today due to Islamic infleunce
Kotoko – Title for Sultan of Gaoui
Mbang – Title for Sultan of Barguimi
Kolak – Title for Sultan of Wadai
See full list here – Sultans of Chad
SUDAN & SOUTH SUDAN
Reth – Title for King of Shilluk (Chollo) people, shilluk kingdom
Sultan – Title for monarch of Darfur sultanate, Fur people and other islamic influenced monarchies
Nyie – Title for King of Anuak/Anyuak/ Anywaa people
Atoroba – Title for King of Azande people kingdom
Mukkuk – Title for ruler of Taqali
ANGOLA
Mwene Kongo / Manikongo – Title for King of Kongo kingdom of BaKongo people
Mwene Mbandu – Title for King of Mbunda kingdom of Ovimbundu people, Mwene Ngoma meaning Owner of the royal drum or Mwene wa Chiundi
Ngola – Title for King of Ndongo kingdom
Mwene Vunongue – Title for King of Ganguela or Nganguela people
oSoma y’olosoma – Title for King of Bauilundo/Mbailundo Kingdom, which means king of chiefs.
Soma Inene – Title for King of Wambo/Huambo kingdom, King of Viye/Bie
See full list here – Traditional Kings of Angola
ZAMBIA
King, Paramount chief, Senior chief, Senior chieftainess, Chief and Chieftainess are majorly used by Zambian Government
Litunga – Title for King of Barotseland/Lozi people
Kalonga Gawa Undi – Title for King of Chewa kingdom people
Mwata Kazembe – Title for monarch of Kazembe Lunda people
Chitimukulu – Title for King of Bemba people
Munokalya, Mwami, – Title for Lion King Mukuni of Leya people
Bedyango – Title for Matriarch of Leya people. She reigns alongside the Lion King Mukuni of Leya
Nkwazi – Title for queen consort/Kings wife of Lion king Mukuni of Leya people. it means eagle (Special acknowledgements – Candido Mukuni)
See full list here – Traditional Kings of Zambia
NAMIBIA
Paramount chief, Chief used by the Namibia State
Ombara Otjitambi – Title for Paramount Chief of Herero people
Gaob – Title for King of Damara people
Gaob – Title for monarch of the Nama people
Ohamba yOukwanyama – Title for King/Queen regnant of Oukwanyama Kingdom people
Omukwaniilwa – Title for King of Ondonga people
Omukwaniilwa gwUukwaluudhi – Title for King of Uukwaluudhi Kingdom people
Omukwaniilwa – Title for King of Ongandjera Kingdom people
Munitenge – Title for monarch of Masubia/Subiya people
Hompa – Title for monarch of Uukwangali Kingdom people
Hompa – Title for monarch of Mbunza kingdom of Okavango people
Hompa – Title for chief of Shambyu people
Fumu – Title for monarch of Hambukushu people
GABON
Ogorungu/Agamwinboni – King/Chief of Kingdom of Orungu
Oga – King of Mpongwe/ Omyene people
SOMALIA
Somalia has many rulers of the many different clans. Sometimes they are referred as clan chiefs due to their high number
Suldaan – Title for many kings locally. (suldaan is in local somali which is Sultan in English).
Boqor – Title for king of Darood clan, Majeerteen sultanate
Ugaas/Ughaz – Title for King of Dishiishe clan, King of Gadarbuusi clan
Beeldaaje – Title for King of Ai saleeban clan/sultanate
Wabar – Title for King of Degodia clan
Garaad – Title for King of Dhulbahante clan, King of Jidwaaq/Absame clan,
BURKINA FASO
Mogho Naba – Title for King of Ouagadougou kingdom of Mossi people
Naaba – Title for King of Boussouma kingdom and King of Yatenga of Mossi people
Dima – Title for King of Zougrantenga kingdom of Mossi people
Djamanatigui – Title for King of Bobo Dioulasso
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