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Salima Machamba
Salima Machamba.jpeg
Queen (Sultan) of Mohéli (Mwali)
Reign 1888–1909
Predecessor Marjani bin Abudu Shekhe
Successor French colonialism
Born 1 November 1874
Fomboni, Mohéli
Died 7 August 1964(1964-08-07) (aged 89)
Pesmes, Haute-Saône, France
Burial 10 August 1964
L'église Saint-Hilaire, Pesmes
Spouse Camille Paule (1867–1946)
Issue 1. Henriette Camille Ursule Louise (1902−1989)
2. Louis Camille (1907−1983)
3. Camille Fernand (1917−2007)
House Dynasty of Merina
Father Emile Fleuriot de Langle (1837–1881)
Mother Jumbe Fatima bint Abderremane, Sultan of Mohéli (1836/37–1878)
Religion Roman Catholicism

Salima Machamba (born November 1, 1874, died August 7, 1964) was a queen, also called a Sultan, of the island of Mohéli. Mohéli is part of the Comoros islands. She ruled from 1888 to 1909. Her official name was Salima Machamba bint Saidi Hamadi Makadara. She was also known by her Christian name, Ursule. Salima Machamba was related to Ranavalona I, a famous Queen of Madagascar.

Life as a Queen

Early Life and Family

Salima Machamba was born in Fomboni, Mohéli, on November 1, 1874. Her mother was Djoumbé Fatima, who was also the Queen of Mohéli. Her father was Emile Fleuriot de Langle. Even though her parents were not married, she was recognized as a royal child. She officially used the name of her mother's husband.

Becoming Queen

The French government chose Salima Machamba to be the queen of Mohéli. At this time, the Comoros islands became a French protectorate. This meant France had control over the islands. Salima Machamba was sometimes called a "puppet queen." This means she ruled, but the French made the real decisions.

Marriage and Exile

On August 28, 1901, Salima Machamba married a French soldier named Camille Paule. They got married in Saint-Denis, Réunion. However, her rule did not last much longer. In 1909, the French government removed her from power. They officially took over Mohéli and the Comoros islands.

After this, Salima Machamba and her family were sent to live in France. The French government gave her money each year. She lived a simple life as a farmer in a place called Haute-Saône. She passed away in Pesmes, France, on August 7, 1964. She was buried there on August 10, 1964.

Today, her granddaughter, Anne Etter, helps represent the royal family of Mohéli. She is the president of an organization called Association Développement des Iles Comores.

Her Children

Salima Machamba and Camille Paule had three children:

  • Henriette Camille Ursule Louise (born July 15, 1902, died April 4, 1989). She was known as a Princess of Mohéli. She had one daughter named Christiane.
  • Louis Camille (born September 1, 1907, died April 8, 1983). He was known as a Prince of Mohéli. He had one daughter named Anne Ursule. Anne Ursule is the one who leads the Association Développement des Iles Comores today.
  • Camille Fernand (born June 16, 1917, died April 1, 2007). He was also known as a Prince of Mohéli.
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