Lewanika

Lewanika
Litunga
Lewanika photographed during his visit to Edinburgh in 1902
Litunga of Barotseland
First reign1878–1884
PredecessorMwanawina II
SuccessorTatila Akufuna
Second reign1885–1916
PredecessorTatila Akufuna
SuccessorYeta III
Mokamba (regent)
Bornc. 1842
near Nyengo Swamp, Barotseland
Died4 February 1916 (aged c. 74)
Lealui, Barotseland, Northern Rhodesia
Burial
ConsortNtelamo (Ma-Litia)
Issue
  • Yeta III
  • Imwiko
  • Mwanawina III
  • Godwin Mbikusita Lewanika II
FatherPrince Litia Mulambwa
MotherInonge Wamunyima

Lewanika (c. 1842 – 4 February 1916) (also known as Lubosi, Lubosi Lewanika or Lewanika I) was the Lozi Litunga (King) of Barotseland from 1878 to 1884 and again from 1885 to 1916. A detailed, although biased, description of King 'Lubossi' (the spelling used) can be found in the Portuguese explorer Alexandre de Serpa Pinto's 1878–1879 travel narrative Como eu atravessei a África (How I Crossed Africa, in English translation).