Mulambwa Santulu (born Maimbolwa Santulu) was the 10th ''
litunga
The Litunga of Barotseland (now in Zambia) is the king of the Barotse people. The ''Litunga'' resides near the Zambezi River and the town of Mongu, at Lealui on the floodplain in the dry season, and on higher ground at Limulunga on the edge of the ...
'' (
king
King is the title given to a male monarch in a variety of contexts. The female equivalent is queen, which title is also given to the consort of a king.
*In the context of prehistory, antiquity and contemporary indigenous peoples, the tit ...
) of
Barotseland
Barotseland ( Lozi: Mubuso Bulozi) is a region between Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe including half of eastern and northern provinces of Zambia and the whole of Democratic Republic of Congo's Katanga Province. It is the homeland of the ...
who ruled from 1780 to 1830. He is one of the most fondly remembered Luyana kings. He is famous for introducing a series of reforms such as a new constitution into the Lozi Kingdom. He has been called "Mulambwa Mutomi Wa Mulao" which translates to "Mulambwa the creator of laws."
During this period, the practice of slave trading affiliated with both Arab and Portuguese markets was gradually expanding from the coastal regions into the African interior. The name 'Mulambwa' was acquired as a nickname based on his tough stance against slave trading. It is derived from the phrase "Muule ambwa, Muulese kuule Anu" which translates to "buy dogs, but not another human being." Barotseland was made a no-go area for slave traders.
His reign is also characterised by the arrival of the Mbunda tribe into Barotseland, who had fled Angola as refugees escaping slave trading. They were welcomed to resettle into his kingdom and would become strong allies.
Biography
Mulambwa Santulu was the third son of the king
Mwanawina I
Mwanawina I was a ''Litunga'' (king or chief) of Barotseland in Africa.
Biography
Mwanawina was the youngest son of Prince Mbanga, 1st Chief of Nalolo, and brother to the king Yubya I. His mother was princess Notulu.
He succeeded on the death ...
, by his wife, Queen
Mbuywana.
He was a chief of
Lilundu, before his accession. He succeeded on the death of his elder brother
Mwananyanda Liwale
''Mulena Yomuhulu Mbumu wa Litunga'' Mwananyanda Liwale was a King of Barotseland in Zambia, very unpopular ruler.
Biography
Family
Mwananyanda was the second son of the King Mwanawina I and grandson of Prince Mbanga and Princess Notulu.
His ...
and was opposed by Kusiyo, but eventually triumphed after slaying the Nololo. He established his capital at
Namuso and established orchards, tamed and domesticated wild animals and promulgated laws on property and
marriage
Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between ...
. He died at Lilundu, in the month of July, about 1830.
[''Reciprocity and interdependence: the rise and fall of the Kololo Empire in southern Africa in the 19th century'' by Kabunda Kayongo] Under his reign, the Mbunda tribe who had fled Angola as refugees fleeing the slave trade were allowed to settle in Barotseland.
Family
Mulambwa had many children. His sons were kings
Mubukwanu
''Mulena Yomuhulu Mbumu wa Litunga'' Mubukwanu (died c. 1840) was a High Chief of the Lozi people, King of Barotseland in Africa. He quarrelled with his brother Silumelume.
Biography
Family
Mubukwanu was a son of the Chief Mulambwa Santul ...
and
Silumelume
''Mulena Yomuhulu Mbumu wa Litunga'' Selumelume Muimui (or Silumelume) was a Chief of Barotseland in Africa. Family and life
Silumelume was a son of the King Mulambwa Santulu and thus grandson of King Mwanawina I.
Lozi people believed that he wa ...
and his grandson was
Sipopa Lutangu
Sipopa Lutangu was the leader of the Lozi revolution and later a ''Litunga'' (king) of the Lozi people. He ruled from 1864 to 1876.
Biography
Sipopa (also known as Lutangu) was the son of the former Lozi King, Mubukwanu. He was a successor of Mbo ...
.
His children were also Namiluko Mulumbwa, Imbua Mulumbwa (chief), Ilukuyi, Meebelo Ananganga Mulumbwa, PNgela Mulumbwa, Yeta II, and Akelumbela.
His daughters were Kandundu (''Mulena Mukwai'' of Nololo, she died in 1871), Monambeza (installed as ''Mulena Mukwai'' of Nololo, she was killed in 1885) and Katoka.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mulambwa Santulu
Litungas
1830 deaths
Year of birth unknown
Year of death uncertain