Bukunzi
Encyclopedia
Bukunzi, also known as Mbirizi, was a small kingdom located in the extreme southwest of what is now Rwanda
. The kings of Bukunzi were renowned throughout the region for the legendary control of the rain
. Located east of the Ruzizi River
, Bukunzi was apparently founded by members of the Shi royal family, who fled into political exile following a family dispute. Luhwinja, another small polity, is thought to have emerged from Bukunzi. Located southeast of Lake Kivu
, its historical ties were to the west with Bushi
. Through the eighteenth and nineteenth century, it had close ties to Ngweshe, one of the most powerful of the Shi states. Bukunzi remained apart from the central Rwandan court until the military campaign led by colonial Belgium
merged it into the central court in 1925, along with other small kingdoms located west of the Rwandan kingdom, such as Kingogo, Bushiru, and Busozo. The area of the former Bukunzi kingdom is now part of Rusizi District
in Rwanda.
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
. The kings of Bukunzi were renowned throughout the region for the legendary control of the rain
Rain
Rain is liquid precipitation, as opposed to non-liquid kinds of precipitation such as snow, hail and sleet. Rain requires the presence of a thick layer of the atmosphere to have temperatures above the melting point of water near and above the Earth's surface...
. Located east of the Ruzizi River
Ruzizi River
The Ruzizi , is a river which flows from Lake Kivu to Lake Tanganyika in Central Africa, descending rapidly from about 1,500 metres above sea level to about 770 metres above sea level over its length...
, Bukunzi was apparently founded by members of the Shi royal family, who fled into political exile following a family dispute. Luhwinja, another small polity, is thought to have emerged from Bukunzi. Located southeast of Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is one of the African Great Lakes. It lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, and is in the Albertine Rift, a part of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Kivu empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika...
, its historical ties were to the west with Bushi
Bushi (region)
Bushi is a traditional region in the eastern South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It lies along the Mitumba Mountains and includes parts of the administrative territories of Walungu, Kabare, Kalehe, Mwenga, and Uvira surrounding but not including the city of Bukavu...
. Through the eighteenth and nineteenth century, it had close ties to Ngweshe, one of the most powerful of the Shi states. Bukunzi remained apart from the central Rwandan court until the military campaign led by colonial Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
merged it into the central court in 1925, along with other small kingdoms located west of the Rwandan kingdom, such as Kingogo, Bushiru, and Busozo. The area of the former Bukunzi kingdom is now part of Rusizi District
Rusizi District
Rusizi is a district in Western Province, Rwanda. Its capital is Cyangugu, the major city of the Rwandan south-west and the district contains large parts of the former Cyangugu Province.- Geography, flora and fauna :...
in Rwanda.