Mwami () is an honorific title common in parts of Central and East Africa. The title means King, chief or tribal chief in several Bantu languages. It was historically used by kings in several African nations, and is still used for traditional kings or rulers of regions within several African nation-states, for example, in Rwanda.
Tribal chief
In several Bantu languages − including Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, Fuliiru, Nande, Lega, Luhya, Nyindu, Shi, and Chitonga − the word mwami means "tribal chief". It is used as a title for the leader of tribal societies or chiefdoms in areas where those languages are spoken.
In addition, mwami means either "chief" or "husband" in Luganda. It is used as a title for administrative chief in Luganda-speaking chiefdoms around the African Great Lakes region, though it can also be used as a general honorific for men, similar to English Mr.
Traditional chiefs of the Lenje and the Ila people of Zambia, and the Tonga people of Zambia and Zimbabwe also use the honorific.
Etymology
Mwami comes from the Proto-Bantu word "mʊ̀jámí" which meant chief, master, or king.
King
In the Kingdom of Rwanda, the King of Rwanda was known as mwami (plural abami).