Several sultanates on the

Comoros The Comoros, officially the Union of the Comoros, is an archipelagic country made up of three islands in Southeastern Africa, located at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean. Its capital and largest city is Moroni, ...

, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, were founded after the introduction of

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into the area in the 15th century. Other titles could also be ''fani'', ''mfaume'' and ''ntibe.'' Unlike sultans in many other

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nations, these sultans had little real power. At one time alone on the island of Ndzuwani or Nzwani (today

Anjouan Anjouan () is an autonomous volcanic island in the Comoro Islands in the southwestern Indian Ocean, part of the Comoros, Union of the Comoros. It is known in Comorian languages, Shikomori as Ndzuani, Ndzuwani or Nzwani, and, until the early twentie ...

), 40 fanis and other chiefs shared power of the island; Ngazidja (today Grand Comore) was at many times divided into 11 sultanates. This article addresses the major sultanates. 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) are a surviving dynasty that claims origins in Persia and carries an extant connection to the Washirazi people of the East African Coast. The following five cities have been collectively proposed as a

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site: * Mutsamudu * Domoni * Itsandra * Iconi * Moroni

Sultans of Ndzuwani (
Anjouan Anjouan () is an autonomous volcanic island in the Comoro Islands in the southwestern Indian Ocean, part of the Comoros, Union of the Comoros. It is known in Comorian languages, Shikomori as Ndzuani, Ndzuwani or Nzwani, and, until the early twentie ...
)

Sultans of Mayotte

Mayotte Mayotte ( ; , ; , ; , ), officially the Department of Mayotte (), is an Overseas France, overseas Overseas departments and regions of France, department and region and single territorial collectivity of France. It is one of the Overseas departm ...

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

Styled mfalme (plural wafalme).

Sultans of Itsandra

Styled "Mfaume" (in Shingazidja) or Mfalme (in Kiswahili). All rulers were part of the Inya Fey wa Mbaya dynasty. Reign dates are unknown.

Sultans of Mitsamihuli

Styled "Mfaume/Mfalme". All rulers were part of the Inya Mwatsoa Pirusa dynasty. Reign dates are unknown.

Sultans of Washili

Styled "Mfaume/Mfalme". Rulers were part of the Inya Maoni Yambao and Inya Fu Wemba dynasties.

Sultans of Bajini

Styled "Mfaume/Mfalme"

Sultans of Hambuu

Styled "Mfaume/Mfalme". All rulers were part of the Inya Mba Mro dynasty. Reign dates are unknown.

Sultans of Hamahame

Styled "Mfaume/Mfalme". Subordinated to Itsandra. Reign dates unknown.

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). All rulers were part of the Inya Mwatsoa Udhiwa dynasty. Reign dates are unknown. Mbude was subordinated to Itsandra from c. 1860 to 1872 and again from 1873 to 1880. It was subordinated to Bambao briefly from 1872 to 1873 and then again from 1880 to 1892.

Sultans of Domba

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

Sultans of Mwali ( Mohéli)

Sources and external links

* Almanach de Bruxelles (now a paying site)
WorldStatesmen- Comoros

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sultans on the Comoros, List Sultanates on the Comoros Sultans of Anjouan Comoros,Sultans

Sultans of Ndzuwani (Anjouan Anjouan () is an autonomous volcanic island in the Comoro Islands in the southwestern Indian Ocean, part of the Comoros, Union of the Comoros. It is known in Comorian languages, Shikomori as Ndzuani, Ndzuwani or Nzwani, and, until the early twentie ...)