Kilindi dynasty

The Kilindi dynasty(c. 1790s – 1862), (Mwene Kilindi in Shamabaa), (Boma la Kilindi, in Swahili) is a pre-colonial, Tanzanian royal family that has reigned over the Shambaa people of north-west Tanga Region for most of the 18th to 20th centuries In modern-day Lushoto District and Bumbuli District.^[1]

The dynasty was founded by king Mbegha, who settled in the Usambara Mountains and united the Shambaa people in the first half of the 18th century.^[2] Its most prominent member was king Kimweri ye Nyumbai (died 1862). The Kilindi kings of the Shambaa were known as Simba Mwene, which means Lion King. The last Lion King to be recognized as having authority was Kimweri Mputa Magogo (1914–2000). The Kilindi District of Tanga was named after the famous ruling dynasty.^{[citation needed]}