African Kingdoms

Sultanate of Zémio (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.

Zémio was a Voungara-Zande kingdom in the Central African Republic. It was founded by Nounga, a member of a Zande clan belonging to the Angoura branch of the Anounga. His domains stretched north (into the modern Mbomou Prefecture), and south of the River Mbomou (in the modern Congo Democratic Republic. Nounga was a Zande member of the Voungara clan.

Originally the Royal Court was established on the north bank of the Mbomou. On 11 December 1894 Zémio and the Congo Independent State's resident to Zémio's court signed a 'contract' stating that Zemio was to move his court to the south bank of the Mbomou (Article 6) and that Zémio was to give up to his rights to the territories on the north bank of the Mbomou (Article 1).

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

? - c.1835

Died 1858. Had 51 children.

bef 1855 - c.1872

Son.

c.1872 - 1912

Son. Died on 12 October.

1894

Zemio agrees to move his royal court to the south bank of the Mbomou on 11 December.

1909

On 12 April 1909, Governor Merwart signs a new protectorate treaty with Sultan Zemio. In December of the same year Zémio realises that his rule south of the Mbomou is in fact no rule, due to Congo Free State rule in the region. Zémio moves to the north bank of the Mbomou, which had formerly been the northern part of his domain, but which is now under French control. He establishes his court in what is now the city of Zémio.

1912 - 1921

1921 - 1923

1923

The sultanate is suppressed by the French.