Kaziba Chiefdom

The Kaziba Chiefdom (French: Chefferie de Kaziba) is a chiefdom located in the Walungu Territory of South Kivu Province in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Its capital is Lwanguku, situated approximately 55 km south of Bukavu City. The chiefdom is bordered to the east by the Luvubu River and the Bafuliiru Chiefdom, to the south by the Lulimbohwe River, Kashandja River, and Magaja River, which separate it from the Luhwindja Chiefdom. To the north, it is bordered by the Mugaba River and Luzinzi River, which constitute its limits with the Ngweshe Chiefdom, and to the west by the Itombwe Mountains and Lake Lungwa, separating it from the Luindi Chiefdom and Burhinyi Chiefdom. Covering an area of 195 km2, it has a population of 44,235, the majority of whom are Shi people.

The Kaziba Chiefdom is home to the Shi people (plural: Bamushi or Bashi), the ethnic group that predominates in the area. The traditional chief, known as the Mwami, plays a crucial role in maintaining law and order and preserving the cultural heritage of the Shi people.

Etymology
The appellation "Kaziba" predominantly originates from the populace known as the "Bazibaziba," a sub-group of the Bashi people residing in the region. Traditionally, the Bazibaziba were adept artisans who specialized in working with copper and iron ore, crafting agricultural implements and jewelry. Their craftsmanship was highly regarded, and their creations were traded and sold throughout the Great Lakes region, encompassing modern-day eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda. Originally, the population was referred to as the "Bahanga Nyumpa," which translates to "Builders of Houses." However, the name "Bazibaziba" emerged due to an event involving Kangere, a Mwami of the dynasty, who committed a fiendish and truculent act. Kangere had kidnapped his nephew's cow named "Mwihwa" in the Mashi language, inexpiable delinquency. In response, his subjects expressed their opprobrium by lowering their heads and closing their eyes, an action known as "Kuziba" in Mashi. This pivotal event gave rise to the new name "Bazibaziba," which means "those who close their eyes," and eventually led to the name "Kaziba."

Geography
Kaziba Chiefdom is located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), sharing borders with Rwanda to the east and Kabare Territory to the north. It lies about forty kilometers north of Bukavu, measured as the crow flies, and is accessible through a 55-kilometer road section connecting it to Bukavu city. The chiefdom is situated at an altitude ranging from 1500m to 3200m above sea level, situated within the Mitumba Mountains. The rugged relief of Kaziba Chiefdom is characterized by towering mountains, which cover approximately half of the chiefdom's surface and reach heights of up to 3200m above sea level. The central part of the region is marked by the "V" valley of the Luzinzi River, offering a contrasting landscape amidst the high mountains. Towards the north, plateaus dominate the terrain, specifically in the Cibanda and Cihumba groupings, with an average altitude of 1900m.

Hydrology
Kaziba Chiefdom is rich predominantly in rivers, streams, and springs. The region is home to approximately 104 rivers, 196 springs, and 30 ponds. Notably, the chiefdom is flanked by significant rivers, including the Kashanja River, Nachibumdu River, Mugaba River, Kabuje River, Nkombo River, Shaliro River, Magaja River, and Luvubu River. The Luvubu River originates from Mount Mukono in the southeastern part of Kaziba Chiefdom. It eventually joins the Ruzizi River, coursing between the boundaries of Kaziba and Bafuliiru Chiefdom, dotted with gorges and rapids. The river's left tributaries include Cibunguza, Lurhale, Luke, and Chitanzi, while Kabindja serves as its main right tributary, accompanied by numerous smaller streams. Moreover, Kaziba Chiefdom's water resources encompass two hydrographic basins: the rivers of the Ruzizi watershed and the Luzinzi River, originating from the southern mountain range, particularly the Mubuga swamps. The Luzinzi River flows forcefully through the Kashozi groupement (grouping) before converging with the Lulindja River, forming the valley that bears its name. This river immensely contributes to the chiefdom's prosperity by enabling market gardening, food crop cultivation, and serving as a source of construction materials like rubble, sand, gravel, and even precious materials like gold. Lwashanja River is another significant waterway sourced from Lake Mudekera in the Cirimiro groupement, known for its extraordinary Lwashanja fall. The river eventually joins the Namuna River in Luhwinja Chiefdom, acting as a boundary between Kaziba and Luhwinja Chiefdoms.

Aside from rivers, streams, and springs, the chiefdom includes two lakes of undetermined altitude and lacking fish. Lake Mudekera, situated in the center-west of the chiefdom, is accessible by road. On the other hand, Lake Lungwe, located in the extreme southeast of Kaziba Chiefdom, holds special significance in traditional Kaziba society, believed to be the mythical origin of cows. Despite its lack of fish, both lakes remain relatively unexplored, with Lake Lungwe offering a peek of untouched nature, though oppugning to reach due to the absence of a motorable road.

Geology
The region has a wide range of altitudes and valuable mineral resources. The chiefdom encompassed a rugged terrain with streams flowing on plateaus formed by red corn falls. The plateau valleys are more grounded and feature V-shaped formations. Prominent peaks within the region include Mount Mukono at around 3200m, Mount Kange at approximately 3170m, Mount Mubuga also at around 3170m, Mount Bumwe at 2903m, Mont Ngonone at 2405m, Mount Chinpulungu at 2404m, Mount Nabumbu at 2184m, Mount Ngando at 2025m, Mount Mbogwe at 2025m, and Mount Kahya at around 1900m. The chiefdom featured notable iron deposits, which conventionally served as the primary metal for cutlery and artisanal tools such as hoes, machetes, knives, spears, and bells. The chiefdom is also known to hold copper deposits, most notably in the Bulumbwa groupement, although these resources remain untapped. Incidentally, the region is rich in gold, with mining activities concentrated in areas like Kashozi, Butuzi, and Chiburhi. Mining, especially gold and cassiterite extraction from Lwindi Chiefdom, plays a pivotal role in the chiefdom's sustenance. Artisanal gold diggers exploit the rivers throughout the region, but the most significant gold deposit is found in the south, within the Kashozi, Butuzi, and Chiburhi groupements at higher altitudes. Additionally, other valuable minerals, such as oil, remain unexploited potential resources.

Vegetation
The high-altitude region's vegetation has a diverse topography with stepped formations. The dominant plantations include Cypress, Eucalyptus, Grevillea, and Pinus, which serve as valuable resources for timber production and other industries. The region also has altitude forests with Bamboo and Prunus africana that support wildlife and ecosystem functions. The cultivation of Coffee and Cinchona contributes to the region's economic growth. Amidst the stepped vegetation, altitude forests thrive, providing essential ecological benefits.

Climate
The Kaziba Chiefdom experiences a humid subtropical climate at higher altitudes. The dry season prevails from mid-June to September, marked by reduced rainfall and lower humidity levels. Clear skies and relatively cooler temperatures create favorable conditions for outdoor activities and agricultural enterprises. Conversely, the rainy season starts from September to May, with increasing rainfall and higher humidity levels.

Administrative division
The Kaziba Chiefdom is divided into smaller units called groupements (groupings or groups), which are overseen by traditional leaders known as "mwamis" or "bamis." Each groupement is further subdivided into localités, which are villages and are governed by customary chiefs. The heads of groupements provide support to the chiefdom's leadership, while the leaders of localités assist the groupement leaders within their respective areas. The groupement leader is appointed by the paramount Mwami and is typically a member of the royal family. They have the authority to govern their subjects and issue directives on behalf of the chiefdom. Similarly, within each groupement, the groupement leader appoints village chiefs to head individual villages. These village chiefs hold leadership roles within their regions and serve as representatives of the groupement leader at the village level.

Groupements
As of 2018, the Kaziba Chiefdom is composed of 15 groupements:

• Bulumbwa/Bulumbwe

• Butuzi

• Chihumba

• Chibanda

• Chrimiro

• Kabembe

• Kahungwe

• Kashanga

• Kashozi

• Ngando

• Lukube

• Muchingwa

• Muhumba

• Mulambi

• Chiburhi

History
The Kaziba Chiefdom was officially created on 12 April 1929 by the decree of the district commissioner of Kivu District during the reign of Mwami Majiri Nnakaziba.

Conflict and insecurity
The region has been plagued by conflict and insecurity during both the First and Second Congo Wars. In the second half of October 1996, during the First Congo War, units of the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire (AFDL) and the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) massacred 130 civilians in the Kaziba Chiefdom. On October 16 of that year, they callously massacred 36 civilians in the Kaziba Chiefdom's commercial center. The victims' bodies were buried in a mass grave near the Mennonite church in Kaziba Chiefdom's town center. Incidentally, in the Namushuaga/Lukube district, soldiers slaughtered many civilians with spears and machetes. In the Cihumba district, where numerous inhabitants had sought refuge, the armed forces killed at least 11 civilians. These atrocities were accompanied by looting of the hospital, stores, and many dwellings in the region. The small local hydroelectric plant also fell victim to the soldiers' destruction. During the Second Congo War, the Rally for Congolese Democracy (RCD) rebels emerged, further exacerbating insecurity in the region. RCD forces conducted ruthless attacks on civilian populations, committing human rights abuses, massacres, summary executions, and displacements in the Kaziba Chiefdom and surrounding areas. The rebels employed brutal tactics to assert control over local communities and weaken perceived adversaries.