Paramount chief facts for kids
A paramount chief is like a very important leader in a group of people or a country. This leader is usually in charge of several smaller chiefs or communities. Think of them as the "head chief" or "main leader" of a region. This term is often used in history and by people who study different cultures. For example, Native American groups like the Powhatan Confederacy in North America had paramount chiefs when Europeans first arrived.
During the Victorian era (when Queen Victoria ruled Britain), British officials in their colonies in Asia and Africa started using the title "paramount chief." They did this instead of calling these leaders "kings." This was because they wanted to make sure that only the British monarch was called a "king." The word "paramount" was added to "chief" to show that these leaders were more important than regular district or town chiefs.
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Paramount Chiefs in Africa
In many parts of Africa, paramount chiefs played a big role in local governance. They were important leaders for their communities.
Eastern African Leaders
- In Kenya, the main leader of the Maasai people was called a paramount chief after 1904.
- In South Sudan, a paramount chief is the leader of a payam (which is like a district). They are chosen by the chiefs of each village.
West African Leaders
Some famous paramount chiefs in West Africa include:
- Charles Atangana in Cameroon
- Bai Bureh in Sierra Leone
- Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II in Ghana
Southern African Leaders
- In Botswana, the leaders of the eight main Tswana tribes are called Kgôsi.
- Lesotho was a British protectorate. Its leader was called a paramount chief until 1966. When Lesotho became independent, the title changed to "king."
- In Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), the British also used the term "paramount chief" starting in 1903. However, the Swazi royal family never really accepted this title. When the country became independent in 1968, the English title changed to "king." The local name for their leader is Ngwenyama, which means "lion."
- In South Africa, many different groups have paramount chiefs. For example, the Xhosa people have leaders called Inkosi Enkhulu. The Thembu people also have an Inkosi Enkhulu.
Paramount Chiefs in Asia
East Asian Leaders
- Khan is an old title from Central Asia for a ruler or military leader. It was first used by nomadic tribes north of China.
- The most famous khan was Genghis Khan, who led the Mongols. Another well-known khan was Nurhaci, a Manchu leader.
Leaders in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
- The Huguan Siou is the highest leader for the Kadazandusun and Murut communities in Sabah.
- The current Huguan Siou is Joseph Pairin Kitingan. This position is very respected and can even be left empty if no one is seen as worthy of the title.
Paramount Chiefs in Oceania
New Zealand
- The Ariki Nui is the hereditary chief of the Ngati Tuwharetoa, a Māori tribe in New Zealand. This leader still has a lot of influence today.
- In the 1850s, the Māori King Movement led to a Waikato chief being chosen as the Māori King.
Cook Islands
- In the Cook Islands, the main chief was an ariki from the Makea Nui family. This was part of the Kingdom of Rarotonga, which existed from 1858 to 1888.
Fiji
- Even after Fiji became a republic in 1987, the British Sovereign was still recognized as the "Paramount Chief." However, this was more of a symbolic title.
Polynesia
- On Rapa Nui, the paramount chief or king was called the ariki henua or ariki mau.
- In Samoa, important paramount titles in their chief system include Malietoa and Mata'afa.
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