Boniface Benzinge

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Boniface Benzinge is the Rwandan chief of the Abiru, privy counsellors to the Mwami of Rwanda. He is also the ex officio leader of the Abatsobe, the Tutsi caste that provides the Abirus on a hereditary basis. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Contents

Life

A member of a family of royal historians, Benzinge was a childhood friend [6] [1] and courtier to King Kigeli V, who was the last reigning king of his country before being deposed in 1961. Benzinge devoted his own life to the service of the Rwandan Crown, usually standing behind the King and speaking on his behalf. [1]

Following that event, Benzinge and his fellow Abiru announced his nephew as Kigeli's titular successor. Although a faction of the royal family opposed this act, [7] the new king was nevertheless subsequently crowned as Yuhi VI in 2017.

Since this occurred, Benzinge has continued to serve as the head of the royal court. In doing this, he has kept the sacred oral traditions of the Abiru secret society alive. [1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "The Abirus: Guardians of Rwanda's royal secrets". magazine.mkur.ac.rw. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  2. ↑ Writer, KT Press Staff (2017-01-04). "Court Hears Fight Over King's Body Between Closest Family and Distant Relatives". KT PRESS. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
  3. ↑ Brenda, Kalinda (2017-01-11). "Kigeli Family Rejects New 'Fake King' in Exile". KT PRESS. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
  4. ↑ Perraudin, Frances; reporter, Frances Perraudin North of England (2017-01-12). "Rwanda's new king named – a father of two living on an estate near Manchester". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2025-12-18.
  5. ↑ Iaccino, Ludovica (2017-01-12). "All you need to know about monarchy in Rwanda: Kigeli V burial, 'fake king' appointment and RPF's position". International Business Times UK. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
  6. ↑ "BBC World Service - Newshour, Rwanda's last king". BBC. 2016-12-31. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
  7. ↑ Uwiringiyimana, Clement. "He's Not The Real King: Rwandan Royals Argue Over Succession". Reuters. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
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