Kirua
Kirua or Kingdom of Kirua also sometimes referred to as Kirua Vunjo, was a former sovereign Chagga state located the region of Vunjo in Moshi [Rural District] of Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania. Kirua was situated on Mount Kilimanjaro to the west of the Nanga River to the Mue River to the east. All Vunjo peoples including the Kirua speak one of the seven Chagga dialects Central Kilimanjaro language called Kivunjo.
Overview
Kirua, during the childhood of Mangi Rongoma of Kilema, comprised three distinct chiefdoms. Over the course of the 19th century, these kingdoms experienced periods of reunification and disintegration, primarily due to external raids targeting cattle and slaves. In an effort to escape the incursions led by Mangi Orombo, many Kilema inhabitants fled to the Kombo and Lyamungo regions near the Weru Weru River in Machame.Despite being a relatively weak kingdom, Kirua was notable for its wealth in cattle, making it a frequent target for raiders. The Mwika kingdom, established by Mangi Marealle of Marangu, emerged later as a strategic move to undermine the rival Mamba kingdom. Historically, Kirua has been characterized by a lack of military strength, with its people unable to effectively defend against persistent raids that began in the 18th century. The absence of blacksmiths further limited their capacity for self-defense, as they relied on weapons obtained from neighboring kingdoms such as Mamba or Moshi. Consequently, oral traditions from Kirua are sparse and lack detail, reflecting a history of passivity rather than valor.
History
Historian Stahl notes that the beginnings of Kirua can be linked to the arrival of the Kesi clan, starting with their progenitor, Msanya, who emigrated from the Taita region. He first established himself at Manu Hill in the chiefdom of Nduwoni before relocating to the chiefdom of Kmare. Msanya's descendant, Pakula, is recognized as the initial leader of a segment of Kirua in the late 18th century.Singila, the son of Mangi Rongoma, unified the chiefdoms of Lego and Mrumeni through conflict and strategic maneuvering. He annexed Lego after its inhabitants seized his cattle and conquered Mrumeni by marrying the chief's sister, who aided in her brother’s downfall.
Singila founded the Kesi dynasty that has persisted through the challenges faced by Kirua since the late 18th century. After his reign, the Kirua Kingdom dealt with ongoing external threats and often became a vassal to stronger powers. The newly arrived Maasai migrants from Kenya conducted sporadic cattle raids in the 1820s, prompting Kirua's inhabitants to retreat to higher elevations.
From the late 18th to the 19th century, Kirua encountered considerable dangers from the Kilema Kingdom, resulting in its domination under Mangi Kombo and subsequently Mangi Rongoma. During this era, Kirua was separated into three areas: Lego, Mrumeni, and Kirua. After Rongoma's passing, Mangi Orombo of Keni assumed authority over Kirua, a move that local leaders accepted without opposition.
A period of relative calm regarding external threats came to an end in the mid-19th century due to aggressive raids led by Mangi Sina of Kibosho, who increasingly targeted slave capture. Mangi Kirumi, the ruler during this era, is recognized for building defensive trenches around the kingdom. Despite these measures, many residents of Kirua sought safety in Kilema, and Kirumi's fortifications were ultimately compromised by a traitor from his own household. In the face of internal conflict, Kirumi sought asylum in Moshi, highlighting the kingdom's persistent challenges.
In the 1880s, Kitingati, the son of Mangi Kirumi, assended to the throne of the Kirua Kingdom during shifting Kilimanjro's power dynamics. He frequently changed his allegiance between Mangi Rindi of Moshi and Mangi Marealle of Marangu, mainly supporting Moshi until 1892, when Marealle's strategies led to the German conquest of Moshi, reducing Kirua's influence.
Kitingati was regarded as an untrustworthy ruler due to his fluctuating loyalties, which helped him evade major dangers, such as the Chagga conspiracy of 1900. Nevertheless, during the conspiracy of 1916, he was exiled to Bagamoyo by the British, where he died under questionable conditions.
Kitingati ruled for over 30 years, succeeded by his son Mashingia, who governed from 1917 to 1953. Mashingia focused on internal issues and avoided foreign conflicts, leading to Kirua's political obscurity while initiating coffee cultivation for economic engagement. Mashingia's quiet governance allowed him to retire peacefully in 1953, ensuring the kingdom remained within the family, unlike neighboring kingdoms involved in more active political struggles.