Top Five Ancient African Kings History Has Almost Forgotten

Many African kings and Queens who have done a lot in the time past to cement their names and legacy in history forever. From the richest African King, Mansa Musa to Sarraounia Mangou, the chieftess who defeated the French in 1899.

While these are popularly known, there are a number of Ancient African kings and chiefs who are little known for one reason or the other. One of the most common is the conquest of their kingdoms by larger and stronger kingdoms or their death.

Here is a list of ancient African kings and chiefs you need to know:

Birni Besse

Besse was the mbang (king) of the Sultanate or Kingdom of Bagirmi or Baghermi, located in modern-day Chad. The kingdom was in southeast of Lake Chad just south of the famous Kanem–Bornu Empire, which conquered Bagirmi after the death of Besse.

The kingdom however continued as an independent territory. Presently, the empire exists as the Baguirmi Department in Chad, with its capital at Massenya.

Rafael

In Nubia, there was a kingdom called Makuria. It had a number of leaders but one of the most prominent is Rafael. It is said Rafael was the one who built a palace with a red-brick dome in old Dongala, one of Africa’s oldest fortresses and the capital of Makuria.

Radama I

Also known as Radama the Great, he was the first king of Madagascar. He came from a long line of royalty who ruled over the Merina Kingdom, which is the name of pre-colonial Madagascar.

He took over the reign from his father when he was just 18 years old. And it was under his invitation that the Europeans to settle on the island. He encouraged them to establish schools and teach his people.

He was also responsible for ending the international slave trade in Madagascar, which was a backbone of the Merina Kingdom. His abuse of alcohol caused his death at just 35 and he was succeeded by his highest-ranking wife, Ranavalona I.

Bocchus I

Bocchus I was the king of Mauretania in 110BC. He is known for a number of things including taking the King of Numidia, Jorgutha to the Romans, and getting a share of the Numidia kingdom for himself as a reward.

He also split his kingdom into two for his sons, Bocchus II and Bogud.

Olimi Of Tooro Kingdom

Olimi was the first king of the Tooro Kingdom in Uganda. The son of Rukirabasaija Agutamba Nyamutukura Kyebambe III, the king of Bunyoro-Kitara kingdom, Olimi rebelled against his father and formed his own kingdom at Kaboyo during his father’s lifetime, beginning in 1822.

He also spurned the succession to Bunyoro-Kitara on his father’s death.