Mwami
/(ə)ˈmwɑːmi/(also Mwani, Mwame) Now historical
noun
In parts of central Africa: a monarch or ruler; specifically a monarch of either of the former African kingdoms of Ruanda and Urundi; also used as a title.
- On independence in 1962 Ruanda became the republic of Rwanda; Urundi remained a monarchy until 1966 when the Mwami was deposed by a coup and the country was renamed Burundi..
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Richard Burton (1821–1890), explorer and author. From Rwanda umwami, Rundi umwami chief, king.