Several sultanates on the

Comoros The Comoros,, ' officially the Union of the Comoros,; ar, الاتحاد القمري ' is an independent country made up of three islands in southeastern Africa, located at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean. It ...

, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean with an ethnically complex mix, were founded after the introduction of

Islam Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God (or '' Allah'') as it was revealed to Muhammad, the ...

into the area in the 15th century. Other uses depending on the island could also be styled ''fani'', ''mfaume'' and ''ntibe.'' Unlike sultans in many other

Arab The Arabs (singular: Arab; singular ar, عَرَبِيٌّ, DIN 31635: , , plural ar, عَرَب, DIN 31635: , Arabic pronunciation: ), also known as the Arab people, are an ethnic group mainly inhabiting the Arab world in Western Asia, ...

nations, these sultans had little real power. At one time alone on the island of

Ndzuwani Anjouan (; also known as Ndzuwani or Nzwani, and historically as Johanna or Hinzuan) is an autonomous high island in the Indian Ocean that forms part of the Union of the Comoros. Its chief town is Mutsamudu and, , its population is around 277,500 ...

or Nzwani (today

Anjouan Anjouan (; also known as Ndzuwani or Nzwani, and historically as Johanna or Hinzuan) is an autonomous high island in the Indian Ocean that forms part of the Union of the Comoros. Its chief town is Mutsamudu and, , its population is around 277,500 ...

), 40 fanis and other chiefs shared power of the island;

Ngazidja Grande Comore () is an island in Comoros off the coast of Africa. It is the largest island in the Comoros nation. Most of its population is of the Comorian ethnic group. Its population is about 316,600. The island's capital is Moroni, which is ...

(today

Grand Comore Grande Comore () is an island in Comoros off the coast of Africa. It is the largest island in the Comoros nation. Most of its population is of the Comorian ethnic group. Its population is about 316,600. The island's capital is Moroni, which is ...

) was at many times divided into 11 sultanates. This article addresses the major ones. The term ''Shirazis'' (derived from the former Persian capital Shiraz) is a reference to Iranian roots, in some dynasties. The sultans of Hamamvu (Washirazi sultans) is a surviving dynasty that claims origins in Persia line and carries an extant connection to the Washirazi people of the East African Coast. The following five cities have been collectively proposed as a

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international coope ...

World Heritage A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for ...

site: *#

Mutsamudu Mutsamudu is the second-largest city in the Comoros. It is also the capital and largest city on the island of Anjouan as well the former home of former Comorian president Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi. It now houses a deep water port, an ancient c ...

Domoni Domoni (population 15,351) is the second largest city on the Comorian island of Anjouan in the Indian Ocean and is located on the east coast of the island. It was the capital of the island in the past while the present capital of Anjouan is Muts ...

Itsandra Itsandra was one of the two major sultanates on the island of Grand Comore before the French colonization of the Comoros. It was taken over by the Sultanate of Anjouan Anjouan (; also known as Ndzuwani or Nzwani, and historically as Johanna or Hin ...

*# Iconi *# Moroni They have not yet been inscribed as such.

Sultans of and on Ndzuwani (Anjouan)

Names and Dates taken from John Stewart's ''African States and Rulers'' (2005).

Sultans of and on Mayotte

Names and Dates taken from John Stewart's ''African States and Rulers'' (3rd edition, 2006).

Mayotte Mayotte (; french: Mayotte, ; Shimaore: ''Maore'', ; Kibushi: ''Maori'', ), officially the Department of Mayotte (french: Département de Mayotte), is an overseas department and region and single territorial collectivity of France. It is loca ...

was conquered by the Sultanate of Anjouan in 1835, after which it was ruled by Anjouani qadis (governors) until 1841 when it became a protectorate under the French.

Sultans on Ngazidja (Grande Comore)

Sultans of Bambao

Sultans of Itsandra

Styled "Mfaume" (in Shingazidja) or Mfalme (in

Kiswahili Swahili, also known by its local name , is the native language of the Swahili people, who are found primarily in Tanzania, Kenya and Mozambique (along the East African coast and adjacent litoral islands). It is a Bantu language, though Swahili ...

) *Fey Owa Mbaya *Fey Mwenza *Fey Jumbe *Ju Mwamba Pirusa *Zombe Ilingo *Nguzo waInehili *Tibe waKanzu *Mkongo *Mna Musa Hibu *Muhammadi Saidi *Mvunza Panga *Fey Beja waWabeja(f) *Fum Nau waKori Dozi *Fey Fumu *Bwana Fumu *Fey Fumu (2nd time) *Bwana Fumu (2nd time) *Fey Fumu (3rd time) *Fum Mbavu *Musa Fumu waFey Fumu *Tibe Bamba *Musa Fumu waFey Fumu (2nd time) *Tibe Bamba (2nd time) *Musa Fumu waFey Fumu (3rd time) *Tibe Bamba (3rd time) *Musa Fumu waFey Fumu (4th time) (d. c.1883) *Tibe Bamba (4th time) *Kalega

Sultans of Mitsamihuli

Styled "Mfaume/Mfalme" *Mahame Msahi *Fozi waMahame *Mbantsi *Ju Mambu Madi waMusa Fumu *Jumbe Fumu Mfaume waDomba (possibly ruled jointly with Kori Dazi) *Kori Dazi *Jumbe Fumu Mfaume waDomba (as sole Mfaume) *Tambavu waJumbe Fumu *Fozi *Suja Fumu Mbamba (possibly ruled jointly with Mba Fumu wa Jumbe Fumu) *Mba Fumu waJumbe Fumu *Mba Fumu waTambwe (possibly ruled jointly with Jumbe Fumu wa Jumbe Mfumu) *Jumbe Fumu waJumbe Mfumu *Mbandhi waBwana Haji (possibly ruled jointly with Abdallah bin Ahmad) *Abdallah bin Ahmed *Bwana Fumu (reign ended c.1886) *mukou

Sultans of Washili

Styled "Mfaume/Mfalme" *Mohama Mdume waBeja *Fey Zinda waMawana *Fey Zinda waMakasara *Tambwe Musa Fumu *Tambwe waHabadi (possibly co-ruler with Mfaume Tambwe Musa Fumu) *Jumbe Fumu waMbala Bwani *Tambwe No Fumu waMba Nau (d. 1815) *Jumwamba Mwenye Majini *Mba Fumu waSuja Fumu Bamba *Shekhe Salim (possibly co-ruler with Mfaume Mba Fumu waShuja Fumu Bamba) *Mavunzanga *Tibe Mbe *Abudu Mukou

Sultans of Bajini

Styled "Mfaume/Mfalme" *Mwenye Bamba I *Bamba Jumbe *Tambe Mbafu waFum Nau *Ju Mamba Oma waMba Nau *Mwambatsi (co-ruler with Mfaume Ju Mamba Oma waMba Nau) *Mwenye Bamba II *Bamba Oma *Suja Oma waTambwe (co-ruler with Mfaume Bamba Oma) *Shekani (co-ruler with Mfaume Bamba Oma) *Fumu Oma *Oma waDari (co-ruler with Mfaume Fumu Oma) (d. 1884)) *Ja Mhaba (f) *Hashimu bin Ahmed *Hadija bint Ahmed (f) *Hashimu bin Ahmed (2nd time) *1886–89 uncertain Mfaume or interregnum *Hashimu bin Ahmed (3rd time)(d. 1889)

Sultans of Hambuu

Styled "Mfaume/Mfalme" *Beja Mbuyuni *Nau waMigira *Nau waMoro *Fumu Nau *Yasi Azi *Demani Mtango *Fumu Jimba waIdimani *Mahdi Jimbwa waTangwe *Dari waMba Nau (co-ruler with Mfaume Mahdi Jimbwa waTangwe *Jumbe Fumu waSuja Oma Inkwaba *Suja Oma waTambwe *Mrunda Mijo *Fey Mwando waTambwe (co-ruler with Mfaume Mrunda Mijo) *Bamba Oma waJumamba *Tambwe waHinye *Abudu bin Mohamed bin Sultani *Bamba Oma waOma (co-ruler with Mfaume Abudu bin Mohamed bin Sultani)

Sultans of Hamahame

Styled "Mfaume/Mfalme" *Nye Hila *Haji waNo Fumu *Suja Oma Mshinda Kodo *Jumbe Fumu Madi *Bwana Haji Musa *Simai *Dari Oma *Fumu Oma waNasiri *Suja Oma waFumu *Mba Fumu waBwana Haji *Suja Oma Bwana

Sultans of Mbwankuu

The sultan was also styled Mfaume/Mfalme; the only known incumbent (no dates) was: Bwana Fumu.

Sultans of Mbude

Sultans (also styled Mfaume/Mfalme) (no dates available): *.... – .... Msa Mwinza *.... – .... Bamba *.... – .... Lwali *.... – .... Jumbe Fumu wa Tambwe *.... – .... Dari Mbamba *.... – .... Mwandhi Oma wa Jumbe Fumu *.... – .... Bamba Oma wa Suja Funu *.... – .... Jumbe Fumu Mna Mango *.... – .... Bamba wa Madi Jimba *.... – .... Jumbe Fumu wa Sinai

Sultans of Domba

The sultan was also styled Mfaume/Mfalme; the only known incumbent (no dates) was: Febeja Mambwe.

Sultans of and on Mwali (Mohéli)

*1830–1842 – Ramanetaka (also Abderremane)(d. 1842) *1842–1865 – Raketaka Jombe Sudy (f) (1st time) (c.1836–1878) (after 1851, Jumbe Fatima bint Abderremane) *1842–1849 – Regency (Ravao (f), Tsivandini (through 1847)) *1865–1874 – Mohamed bin Saidi Hamadi Makadara (c.1859–1874) **1865–1868 – Jumbe Fatima bint Abderremane (f), Regent (1st time) (c.1836–1878) **1868–1871 – Joseph Lambert, Duc d'Imerina, Regent (1824–1873) **1871–1874 – Jumbe Fatima bint Abderremane (f), Regent (2nd time) (c.1836–1878) *1874–1878 – Jumbe Fatima bint Abderremane (f) (2nd time) (c.1836–1878) *1878–1885 – Abderremane bin Saidi Hamadi Makadara (c.1860–1885) *1885–1886 – Mohammed Shekhe (b. c.1830) *1886–1888 – Marjani bin Abudu Shekhe (b. c.1851) *1888–1909 – Salima Machamba bint Saidi Hamadi Makadara (f) (never acceded) (1874–1964) **1888–1889 – Regents (Fadeli bin Othman, Balia Juma (f), Abudu Tsivandini) **1889–1897 – Mahmudu bin Mohamed Makadara, Regent (1863–1898) *1909– French colony of Moheli

Sources and external links

(incomplete; ''most material still to be worked in'') * Almanach de Bruxelles (now a paying site)
WorldStatesmen- Comoros

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sultans on the Comoros, List Comorian politicians History of the Comoros Comoros, Sultans Sultans of Anjouan Comoros,Sultans