The Government of Zambia recognizes 4 Paramount chiefs, 43 Senior chiefs and 241 Chiefs. Their royal titles differ with the four most senior ones being called Kings or Paramount chiefs. Traditional entities are recognized by Government with representatives seating in the House of Chiefs under the constitution. Membership is 50 members from the 10 provinces (each province ,5 chiefs). The Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs (MOCTA ) is responsible for overall policy, planning, effective coordination and implementation of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, Traditional Affairs programes in Zambia.
Litunga of Barotseland (Lozi people)
HM Litunga (King) Lubosi Imwiko II current reigning monarch of Barotseland kingdom or Lozi people of Zambia. He has been King since 2000. He is the surviving son of late King Imwiko I who reigned from 1945-1948. He was married to late Princess Mulako who held the title Muoyo Muamba. She died in 2014
The King has four adult sons and others
Prince Richard Lubosi Imwiko,
Prince Akapelwa Imwiko,
Prince Brian Mwanangono Imwiko,
Prince Mwendaweli Imwiko
He is the custodian of the kuomboka ceremony in which he moves during the rainy season from the lealui palace located at lower grounds to the limulunga royal palace located on higher grounds through the zambezi river in boats. This ceremony is witnessed by the people.
Kalonga Gawa Undi of Chewa people
HM King Kalonga Gawa Undi XI of Chewa kingdom of Chewa people of Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. He is sometimes referred to as paramount chief a title used wrongly by the colonial british. He reigns over all Chewa people in these countries and has subordinate chiefs – 42 in Zambia, 33 in Mozambique and 137 in Malawi.
He is the custodian of the famous Kulamba ceremony, a huge annul August ceremony whereby all the chewa subordinate chiefs in the three countries come to the kingdom headquarters at Mkaika to pay allegiance to the King and inform him of the happenings at their levels of jurisdiction. It also celebrates the history of chewa people and was banned innthe colonial period by Christian British who saw it as a pagan culture. The ceremony has existed from 15th century to date.
Mwata Kazembe of Kazembe Lunda kingdom/people
Mwata Kazembe XIX (Paramount Chief or Senior Chief) Paul Mpemba Kaniembo of Kazembe Lunda kingdom, Zambia is the 19th monarch of the Lunda speaking people of Kazembe kingdom, luapela province, Zambia and was chosen king in 1998 at the age of 36. He is married with four children, two sons and two daughters. Kazembe kingdom was at the helm of precolonial trade and was mentioned by David Livingstone.
He is the custodian of the Umutomboko annual ceremony which attracts tourists and lunda people from all over.
Photo : Zambia daily mail
Paramount chief Mpezeni of Ngoni people
Paramount chief Mpezeni iv of Ngoni people of Zambia.
He has been monarch since 1981.
He is a descendant of Zwangendaba who fled the mfecane shaka zulu war in South Africa and settled in Zambian. He leads the ngoni people every year to celebrate Ncwala ceremony.
Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II of Soli People
HRH Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II Elizabeth Mulenje of Soli people of chongwe district, Zambia. Most powerful female royal traditional leader in Zambia. She has been monarch since 1976 and served as minister of home affairs from 1979 to 1986. In 2013 she became the first female chairperson of the house of chiefs of Zambia.
Chieftainess Nkomeshya is the custodian of the Chakwela Makumbi ceremony (pulling down the clouds) in which she plays the role of the rainmaker. She pleads with the ancestors for rain and plants the first seed for the growing season. She is a known advocate for ending child marriages
Chitimukulu of Bemba people
HM 38th Chitimukulu (King or Paramount Chief ) Kanyanta-Manga II Henry Sosola of Bemba people of Zambia. He succeeded his late predecessor in 2015. All bemba kings belong to the crocodile or Ngwena clan making it aa symbol or royal emblem in most functions.
He is the custodian of the Ukusefya pa Ngwena or festival of the crocodile in which the Bemba people of Zambia enact their migration from angola to present homeland Zambia. The King is carried in a crocodile shaped pallaquin at the ceremony.
Senior Chief Mukuni of Leya people
HRH Senior Chief Munokalya Mupotola IV Siloka III Mukuni of Leya people of Livingstone, Zambia. He is the 19th monarch of the mukuni dynasty and holds the title Lion King of Victoria falls as the custodian and was selected to the throne after the death of former chief. The mukuni royal palace is located in the Victoria falls region. He rules alongside his royal sister, cousin or female relative who is known as Bedyango. Her role similar to queen mother is land, military and priestly rituals while the lion king is political and administration. The Kings wife is called Nkwazi which means Eagle (Candido Mukuni)
The businessman is the Tourism brain behind Mukuni big five which offers walks and interaction and with cheetahs, lions and elephants. He is also the brain behind mukuni royal trust that has investments in hotels along the zambezi river and Victoria falls region. The chief presides three annual ceremonies
Senior Chieftainess Malembeka of Lamba people, Mpongwe District, Zambia
HRH Chieftainess Malembeka of the Lamba people, bulima, Mpongwe District, Zambia. She is one of the 25 chiefs of Lamba people of Zambia and DRC Congo and one of the four only women chiefs.
She is the custodian of the Kwilimuna annual ceremony celebrated by her people.
Chieftainess Nawaitwika IV of Namwanga people, Nakonde District
Namwanga people of Nakonde , Zambia are led by a traditional monarch called Nawaitwika. She is always a woman as per tradition since the olden days, selected by the Paramount chief of Namwanga people who resides in Tanzania. History by Namwanga people narrates that the sister of the paramount chief was given the chieftancy after colonial borders separated them into two countries. Other chiefs are Kafwimbi, Muyombe, and Mwenechifungwe. The first chief appointed was Namulinda as Chief Nawaitwika to rule over the Namwanga’s on the Zambian side, when she died Namaipo was appointed as Chief Nawaitwika. Following her death in 1940, Malia was appointed as the third Nawaitwika from 1941 to 1999. Malia ruled for over 56 years, making her one of the longest serving chiefs in Zambia. After her death, Evelyn, who was born in Zambia and lived in Mufulira with her husband was later appointed as the current Chief Nawaitwika. (source; Zambia a beautiful country)
Full list of all chiefs in Zambia by the ministry of culture and traditional affairs below. 👇🏿
CHIEFDOMS/CHIEFS IN ZAMBIA
- CENTRAL PROVINCE
A. Chibombo District Tribe
1 HRH Chief Chitanda Lenje People
2 HRH Chieftainess Mungule Lenje People
3 HRH Chief Liteta Lenje People
B. Chisamba District
1 HRH Chief Chamuka Lenje People
C. Kapiri Mposhi District
1 HRH Senior Chief Chipepo Lenje People
2 HRH Chief Mukonchi Swaka People
3 HRH Chief Nkole Swaka People
D. Ngabwe District
1 HRH Chief Ngabwe Lima/Lenje People
2 HRH Chief Mukubwe Lima/Lenje People
E. Mkushi District
1 HRHChief Chitina Swaka People
2 HRH Chief Shaibila Lala People
3 HRH Chief Mulungwe Lala People
F. Luano District
1 HRH Senior Chief Mboroma Lala People
2 HRH Chief Chembe Lala People
3 HRH Chief Chikupili Swaka People
4 HRH Chief Kanyesha Lala People
5 HRHChief Kaundula Lala People
6 HRH Chief Mboshya Lala People
G. Mumbwa District
1 HRH Chief Chibuluma Kaonde/Ila People
2 HRH Chieftainess Kabulwebulwe Nkoya People
3 HRH Chief Kaindu Kaonde People
4 HRH Chief Moono Ila People
5 HRH Chief Mulendema Ila People
6 HRH Chief Mumba Kaonde People
H. Serenje District
1 HRH Senior Chief Muchinda Lala People
2 HRH Chief Kabamba Lala People
3 HRh Chief Chisomo Lala People
4 HRH Chief Mailo Lala People
5 HRH Chieftainess Serenje Lala People
6 HRH Chief Chibale Lala People
I. Chitambo District
1 HRH Chief Chitambo Lala People
2 HRH Chief Muchinka Lala People
J. Itezhi Tezhi District
1 HRH Chieftainess Muwezwa Ila People
2 HRH Chief Chilyabufu Ila People
3 HRH Chief Musungwa Ila People
4 HRH Chief Shezongo Ila People
5 HRH Chief Shimbizhi Ila People
6 HRH Chief Kaingu Ila People
K. Shibuyunji/ District
1 HRH Senior Chief Shakumbila Sala People - COPPERBELT PROVINCE
A. Lufwanyama District
1 HRH Chief Funguluwe Lima People
2 HRH Chief Lumpuma Lima People
3 HRH Chief Mukutuma Lamba People
4 HRH Chief Nkana Lamba People
5 HRH Chief Shibuchinga Lamba People
6 HRH Chieftainess Shimukunami Lamba People
B. Masaiti District
1 HRH Senior Chief Chiwala Lamba People
2 HRH Senior Chief Mushili Lamba People
3 HRH Chief Nkambo Lamba People
C. Mpongwe District
1 HRH Senior Chief Ndubeni Lima People
2 HRH Chief Kalunkumya Lima People
3 HRH Chieftainess Lesa Lima People
4 HRH Chief Machiya Lima People
5 HRH Chieftainess Malembeka Lima People
6 HRH Chief Mwinuna Lima People - EASTERN PROVINCE
A. Chadiza District
1 HRH Chief Zingalume Chewa People
2 HRH Chief Mlolo Chewa People
3 HRH Chief Mwangala Chewa People
B. Chipata District
1 HRH Paramount Chief Mpezeni Ngoni People
2 HRH Chief Chinyanku Ngoni People
3 HRH Chief Maguya Ngoni People
4 HRH Chief Sairi Ngoni People
C. Mambwe District
1 HRH Senior Chief Nsefu Kunda People
2 HRH Chief Jumbe Kunda People
3 HRH Chief Kakumbi Kunda People
4 HRH Chief Malama Kunda People
5 HRH Chief Msoro Kunda People
6 HRH Chief Mnkhanya Kunda People
D. Katete District
1
HRH Paramount Chief Kaonga Gawa
Undi Chewa People
2 HRH Chief Kathumba Chewa People
3 HRH Chief Kawaza Chewa People
4 HRH Chief Mbang’ombe Chewa People
E. Lundazi District
1 HRH Chief Kapichila Chewa People
2 HRH Snr Chief Mwasenthembwe Chewa People
3 HRH Chief Mphamba Tumbuka People
F. Nyimba District
1 HRH Senior Chief Luembe Nsenga People
2 HRH Chieftainess Mwape Nsenga People
3 HRH Chief Nyalugwe Nsenga People
4 HRH Chief Ndake Nsenga People
G. Petauke District
1 HRH Senior Chief Kalindawalo Nsenga People
2 HRH Chief Nyampande Nsenga People
3 HRH Chief Mumbi Nsenga People
4 HRH Chieftainess Mwanjabantu Nsenga People
H. Lusangazi District
1 HRH Chief Sandwe Nsenga People
I. Sinda District
1 HRH Chieftainess Nyanje Nsenga People
J. Chipangali District
1 HRH Chief Kapatamoyo Ngoni People
2 HRH Chief Mnukwa Ngoni People
3 HRH Chief Mshawa Ngoni People
4 HRH Chief Chanje Chewa People
5 HRH Chief Mafuta Chewa People
6 HRH Chief Chinunda Chewa People
7 HRH Chieftainess Mkanda Chewa People
K. Kasenengwa District
1 HRH Chief Chikuwe Chewa People
2 HRH Chief Mishoro Ngoni People
3 HRH Chief Madzimawe Ngoni People
4 HRH Chief Nzamane Ngoni People
L. Vubwi District
1 HRH Chief Pembamoyo Chewa People
M. Lumezi District
1 HRH Chief Kazembe Chewa People
2 HRH Chieftainess Mwanya Chewa People
3 HRH Chieftainess Mwase Mphangwe Chewa People
4 HRH Chief Chikomeni Chewa People
5 HRH Chief Zumwanda Chewa People
6 HRH Chief Chitungulu Chewa People
N. Chasefu District
1 HRH Senior Chief Magodi Ngoni-Tumbuka People
2 HRH Chief Phikamalaza Ngoni-Tumbuka People - LUAPULA PROVINCE
A. Kawambwa District
1 HRH Senior Chief Mushota Chishinga People
2 HRH Chief Chama Chishinga People
3 HRH Chief Munkata Chishinga People
B. Mansa District
1 HRH Chief Chimense Ushi People
2 HRH Chief Chisunka Ushi People
3 HRH Chief Kalaba Ushi People
4 HRH Chief Kalasa Lukangaba Ushi People
5 HRH Chief Mabumba Ushi People
6 HRH Chief Matanda Ushi People
7 HRH Chief Mibenge Ushi People
C. Milenge District
1 HRH Senior Chief Milambo Ushi People
2 HRH Chief Sokontwe Ushi People
D. Mwense District
1 HRH Chief Katuta Kampemba Lunda People
2 HRH Chief Lubunda Chishinga People
3 HRH Chieftainess Lukwesa Lunda People
4 HRH Chief Mulundu Chishinga People
5 HRH Chief Kashiba Lunda People
E. Chiengi District
1 HRH Senior Chief Mununga Shila People
2 HRH Senior Chief Puta Bwile People
3 HRH Chieftainess Lambwe Chomba Bwile People
F. Nchelenge District
1 HRH Chief Kambwali Lunda People
2 HRH Chieftainess Kanyembo Lunda People
3 HRH Chief Nshimba Shila People
G. Samfya District
1 HRH Senior Chief Kalasa Mukoso Kabende People
2 HRH Chief Kasoma Bangweulu Kabende People
3 HRH Chief Mulakwa Kabende People
H. Chifunabuli District
1 HRH Senior Chief Mwewa Ng’umbo People
2 HRH Chief Mwansakombe Ng’umbo People
3 HRH Chief Mulongwe Ng’umbo People
4 HRH Chief Mbulu Ng’umbo People
5 HRH Chief Chitembo Ng’umbo People
I. Lunga District
1 HRH Senior Chief Kalimankonde Unga People
2 HRH Chief Bwalya Mponda Unga People
3 HRH Chief Nsamba Unga People
4 HRH Chief Kasomalunga Unga People
J. Chembe District
1 HRH Chief Kasomalwela Ushi People
K. Chipili District
1 HRH Chief Mutipula Chishinga People
2 HRH Chief Mwenda Chishinga People
L. Mwansabombwe District
1 HRH Senior Chief Mwata Kazembe Lunda People
- LUSAKA PROVINCE
A. Luangwa District
1 HRH Senior Chief Mburuma Nsenga Luzi People
2 HRH Chief Mphuka Chikunda People
B. Rufunsa District
1 HRH Chieftainess Shikabeta Soli People
2 HRH Chieftainess Mpanshya Soli People
3 HRH Chief Bunda Bunda Soli People
C. Chongwe District
1
HRH Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya
Mukamambo II Soli People
D. Kafue District
1 HRH Chieftainess Chiyaba Goba People
E. Chirundu District
1 HRH Chief Sikoongo Tonga People
2 HRH Chief Chipepo Tonga People - MUCHINGA PROVINCE
A. Chinsali District
1 HRH Senior Chief Nkula Bemba People
2 HRH Chief Mubanga Bemba People
3 HRH Chief Nkweto Bemba People
4 HRH Chief Chewe Bemba People
5 HRH Chief Chimbuka Bemba People
B. Shiwang’ándu District
1 HRH Chief Chibesakunda Bisa People
2 HRH Chief Mukwikile Bisa People
3 HRH Chief Kabanda Bisa People
C. Mpika District
1 HRH Chief Chikwanda Bemba People
2 HRH Chief Kabinga Bisa People
3 HRH Chief Mukungule Bisa People
4 HRH Chief Nabwalya Bisa People
D. Mafinga District
1 HRH Chief Muyombe Tumbuka People
2 HRH Chief Mwenewisi Lambya People
HRH Chief Mwenechifungwe Fungwe People
E. Nakonde District
1 HRH Chieftainess Waitwika Namwanga People
F. Chama District
1 HRH Senior Chief Kambombo Senga People
2 HRH Chief Chibale Senga People
3 HRH Chief Chifunda Senga People
4 HRH Chief Chikwa Senga People
5 HRH Chief Tembwe Senga People
6 HRH Chief Lundu Senga People
7 HRH Chief Mulilo Senga People
G. Lavushimanda District
1 HRH Chief Chiundaponde Bisa People
2 HRH Chief Mpumba Bisa People
H. Kanchibiya District
1 HRH Senior Chief Kopa Bisa People
2 HRH Chief Luchembe Bisa People
3 HRH Chief Mpepo Bisa People
4 HRH Chief Kabinga Bisa People
I. Isoka District
1 HRH Chief Katyetye Tambo People
2 HRH Chief Kafwimbi Iwa-Namwanga People - NORTHERN PROVINCE
A. Kaputa District
1 HRH Chief Kaputa Tabwa People
2 HRH Chief Mukupa Katandula Tabwa People
B. Luwingu District
1 HRH Senior Chieftainess Chungu Abena mukulu
2 HRH Senior Chief Shimumbi Bemba People
3 HRH Chief Chabula (Abena) Mukulu
4 HRH Chief Chipalo Bemba People
5 HRH Chief Katuta Abena Mukulu
6 HRH Chief Tungati Bemba People
C. Chilubi District
1 HRH Chief Chiwanangala Bisa People
2 HRH Chief Matipa Bisa People
D. Mbala District
1 HRH Senior Chief Nsokolo Mambwe People
2 HRH Chief Fwambo Mambwe People
3 HRH Chief Mpande Mambwe People
4 HRH Chief Mwamba Mambwe People
5 HRH Chief Nondo Lungu People
E. Mpulungu District
1 HRH Senior Chief Tafuna Lungu People
2 HRH Chief Chinakila Lungu People
3 HRH Chief Chitimbwa Lungu People
F. Mungwi Disrtict
1 HRH Chief Chitimukulu (Paramount) Bemba People
2 HRH Chief Chimbola Bemba People
3 HRH Chief Makasa Bemba People
G. Kasama District
1 HRH Senior Chief Mwamba Bemba People
2 HRH Chief Nkolemfumu Bemba People
3 HRH Chief Munkonge Bemba People
H. Mporokoso Districtg
1 HRH Chief Chitoshi Lungu People
2 HRH Chief Mukupa Kaoma Lungu People
3 HRH Chief Mumpolokoso Bemba People
4 HRH Chief Shibwalya Kapila Bemba People
I. Nsama District
1 HRH Senior Chief Nsama Tabwa People - NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCE
A. Kabompo District
1 HRH Chief Kalunga Luchazi People
2 HRH Chief Chiyengele Mbunda People
B. Manyinga District
1 HRH Senior Chief Sikufele Mbunda People
C. Kasempa District
1 HRH Senior Chief Kasempa Kaonde People
2 HRH Chief Ingwe Kaonde People
D. Mufumbwe District
1 HRH Chief Mushima Kaonde People
2 HRH Chief Chizera Kaonde People
E. Mwinilunga District
1 HRH Senior Chief Kanongesha Lunda People
2 HRH Senior Chief Saliunga Lunda People
3 HRH Chief Chibwika Lunda People
4 HRH Chief Kakoma Lunda People
5 HRH Chief Kanyama Lunda People
6 HRH Chief Ntambu Kaonde People
F. Solwezi District
1 HRH Chief Kapijimpanga Kaonde People
G. Kalumbila District
1 HRH Senior Chief Musele Lunda People
2 HRH Senior Chief Mukumbi Kaonde People
3 HRH Chief Matebo Kaonde People
4 HRH Chief Mumena Kaonde People
H. Mushindano District
1 HRH Senior Chief Kalilele Lamba People
2 HRH Senior Chief Mujimanzovu Kaonde People
3 HRH Chief Mulonga Lamba People
4 HRH Chief Musaka Lamba People
5 HRH Chieftainess Chikola Lamba People
I. Ikelengi District
1 HRH Chief Ikelenge Lunda People
2 HRH Chief Nyakaseya Lunda-Ndembu People
3 HRH Chief Mwininyilamba Lunda People
J. Zambezi District
1 HRH Senior Chief Ishindi Lunda People
2 HRH Senior Chief Ndungu Luvale People
3 HRH Chief Chinyama Litapi Luvale People
4 HRH Chief Ishima Lunda People
5 HRH Chief Kucheka Luvale People
6 HRH Chief Mpidi Lunda People
7 HRH Chieftainess Nyakuleng’a Lunda People - SOUTHERN PROVINCE
A. Chikankata District
1 HRH Chieftainess Mwenda Tonga People
2 HRH Chief Naluama Tonga People
B. Choma District
1 HRH Chief Macha Tonga People
2 HRH Chief Mapanza Tonga People
3 HRH Chief Cooma Tonga People
C. Pemba District
1 HRH Chief Hamaundu Tonga People
2 HRH Chief Moyo Tonga People
D. Gwembe District
1 HRH Chief Munyumbwe Tonga People
E. Kalomo District
1 HRH Chief Chikanta Tonga People
2 HRH Chief Siachitema Tonga People
3 HRH Chief Sipatunyana Tonga People
F. Kazungula District
1 HRH Chief Sekute Toka Leya People
2 HRH Chief Mukuni Toka Leya People
3 HRH Chief Musokotwane Toka Leya People
4 HRH Chief Nyawa Tonga People
5 HRH Chief Moomba Nkoya People
G. Mazabuka District
1 HRH Chief Mwanachingwala Tonga People
2 HRH Chief Hanjalika Tonga People
H. Monze District
1 HRH Chief Chona Tonga People
2 HRH Chieftainess Choongo Tonga People
3 HRH Chief Monze Tonga People
4 HRH Chief Mwanza Tonga People
5 HRH Chief Hamusonde Tonga People
6 HRH Chief Ufwenuka Tonga People
I. Namwala District
1 HRH Chief Mukobela Ila People
2 HRH Chief Muchila Ila People
3 HRH Chief Mungaila Ila People
4 HRH Chief Nalubamba Ila People
J. Siavonga District
1 HRH Chief Sinadambwe Tonga People
2 HRH Chief Simamba Tonga People
K. Sinazongwe District
1 HRH Chief Sinazongwe Tonga People
2 HRH Chief Sinazongwe Tonga People
L. Zimba District
1 HRH Chief Simwatachela Tonga People - WESTERN PROVINCE
A. Western Province
1 The Litunga (Paramount Chief) Lozi People
B. Senanga & Nalolo District
1 HRH Litunga-La-Mboela Lozi People
C. Kalabo & Sikongo District
1 HRH Mboanjikana Lozi People
D. Mwandi, Mulobezi & Sesheke Districts
1 HRH Senior Chief Inyambo Yeta Lozi People
E. Kaoma District
1 HRH Senior Chief Amukena Lozi People
2 HRH Chief Mutondo Nkoya People
F. Sioma & Shangombo Districts
1 HRH Chief Lukama Lozi People
G. Lukulu & Mitete Districts
1 HRH Chief Anangánga Lozi People
H. Mongu & Limulunga District
1 HRH Chief Kandala Mbunda People
I. Nkeyema District
1 HRH Chief Chiengele Mbunda People
J. Mongu District
1 HRH Chief Kahare Nkoya People
http://www.mocta.gov.zm/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CHIEFDOMS-IN-ZAMBIA.pdf
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