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| Lunda Lunda | |
|---|---|
| 17th century–1887 | |
| Common languages | Chilunda |
| Government | Monarchy |
Lunda, also known as the Lunda Kingdom or Lunda Empire, was a state in central Africa. It was founded by a chief of the Baluba people from the northeast. Its royal family also established the states of Kazembe to the east and Mai Munene and Kasongo to the north, which were sometimes vassal states and sometimes independent.[1]:63–5
Government
Retaining some features of the original matriarchal system, the state was divided into two parts, with one ruled by a male monarch (Mwata Yamvo) and another ruled by a female (Lukokesha). Monarchs did not have absolute power and could be deposed by a popular assembly. When one ruler died, four ministers selected from the king's children of the same gender as the dead ruler appointed a successor, and the other ruler had to approve it. Both rulers collected taxes from their subject tribes and appointed ministers and central and local chiefs.[1]:63–4
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sík Endre (1970). The History of Black Africa, vol. 1: 'The Peoples of Black Africa before the End of the 15th Century; The Bantu Peoples'. [PDF] Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó.