African Kingdoms

Sultanate of Rafaï (Central Africa)

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Central Africa was poorly defined as a region until the creation of the colonial-era territories.

The sultans ruled large conquered populations in the north and east of today's Central African Republic (typically shortened to CAR). The title of sultan was given by the Congo Free State agents to local rulers in Bangassou, Rafaï, and Zémio in the early 1890s. They included the famous slave-trader, al-Sanusi, (of Dar al-Kuti), and the sultans Labasso (of Bangassou), Zémio, and Hetman (of Rafaï), all heads of conquering dynasties.

The conquered populations were mainly Adamawa-Ubangi-speaking peoples such as the Banda and the Zande-Nzakara in eastern CAR. They had previously lived in stateless societies without hereditary or paramount chiefs. The Gbaya (including the Mandjia) in the centre and west, and the riverine peoples along the Oubangui and Mbomou in the south had no hereditary chiefs either.

They had leaders of different forms such as clan leaders, hamlet headmen, and temporary war chiefs to lead warriors in battle, but no titled rulers with hereditary authority. The sultanates were therefore the first states to be established amongst the Adamawa-Ubangi-speaking peoples of Central Africa.

Rafaï was a Bandia-Zande kingdom located in present day Central African Republic. Kassanga (perhaps a warlord or an exile with a following) conquered the east of Zandé Country, around the Chinko river basin, and by circa 1800 he was the ruler of the Chinko river valley and founder of the later Rafai kingdom.

(All information on central Africa by Richard A Bradshaw and Juan Fandos-Rius.)

by c.1800

Founder of the Bandia Kingdom of the Chinko.

c.1810 - ?

? - c.1875

c.1875 - 1900

Died 15 June.

1886

Rafai leaves his domains between the Chinko and the Moï rivers because of the Mahdist advance and makes his way south. He conquers most of the Djabir kingdom, establishing his court not far from that of the former Djabir rulers.

1888

War flares up between Rafai and the Djabir kingdoms, causing Rafai to move by the autumn of 1889 from south of the River Mbomou to the north bank of the river, establishing his court in what would later be known as Rafai city.

1900 - 1939

Last sultan. a name or a title?

1909

Governor Merwart signs a new French protectorate treaty with Sultan Hetman on 31 March 1909, having already signed a similar agreement with Bangassou in the previous month. In the summer of 1909, Governor Merwart fixes a definitive frontier between the two sultanates, no doubt to avoid conflict between the two.

1939

Upon the death of the last sultan, the sultanate is suppressed by the French.

1939? - ?

Mayor of Rafaï. b c.1907 in Rafaï. Natl Assembly member 1964-66.