This is a list of the rulers of the Mutapa Empire.
Territory located in present-day Zimbabwe.
Mwenemutapa = Lord of the Conquered Land.
| Tenure | Incumbent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| c.1430 | Foundation of Mutapa Kingdom | |
| c. 1430 to c. 1450 | Nyatsimba Mutota, Mwenemutapa | |
| c. 1450 to 1480 | Matope Nyanhehwe Nebedza, Mwenemutapa | |
| 1480 | Mavura Maobwe, Mwenemutapa | |
| 1480 to 1490 | Nyahuma Mukombero, Mwenemutapa | |
| 1490 to 1494 | Mavhuramhande, Mwenemutapa | |
| 1494 to c. 1530 | Chikuyo Chisamarengu, Mwenemutapa | |
| c. 1530 to c. 1550 | Neshangwe Munembire, Mwenemutapa | Neshangwe Munembiri ruled during the Rozvi Dynasty but he was not of the royal Moyo Chirandu clan (VaRozvi) He was a Njanja of the (Moyo Sinyoro clan). His father Gouveia was a Jew who ran away from Jewish persecution in the Iberian peninsula Serphad (Portugal/Spain) during the inquisitions.Gouveia married Chief Chirwa's daughter Princess Mashawashe making her a Gambiza(Ger Tzedek Hebrew for righteous foreigner) When her son Neshangwe became a Mutapa/King in true Hebrew fashion she became known as Gebirah Hebrew for (Queen Mother) These two terms are now corrupted to Gambiza which means (Stranger amongest us or Righteous Convert) |
| c. 1550 to 1560 | Chivere Nyasoro, Mwenemutapa | |
| 1560 to 1589 | Negomo Chirisamhuru, Mwenemutapa | Granted Coat of Arms by King of Portugal |
| 1589 to 1623 | Gatsi Rusere, Mwenemutapa | |
| 1623 to 1629 | Nyambo Kapararidze, Mwenemutapa | Overthrown by the Portuguese |
| 1629 | Mutapa becomes a Portuguese Vassal | |
| 1629 to 1652 | Mavura Mhande Felipe, Mwenemutapa | Signs treaty of Vassalage with Portuguese; Dies of accidental gunshot wound. |
| 1652 to 1663 | Siti Kazurukamusapa, Mwenemutapa | Son of Mavura; assassinated by Prazos merchants |
| 1663 | Mutapa becomes a Rozvi Vassal | |
| 1663 to 1692 | Kamharapasu Mukombwe, Mwenemutapa | Allies with Rozvi and throws out Prazos |
| 1692 to 1694 | Nyakambira, Mwenemutapa | Assumes throne with Rozvi support; Rozwi vassal king of Manyika after 1694 |
| 1694 | Mutapa returns to Portuguese vassalage | |
| 1694 to 1707 | Nyamhande, Mwenemutapa | Defeats Nyakiambira with Portuguese support |
| 1707 to 1711 | Nyenyedzi Zenda, Mwenemutapa | |
| 1711 to 1712 | Baroma Mugwagwa, Mwenemutapa | Overthrown and retreats to Chidima |
| 1712 | Mutapa returns to Rozvi vassalge | |
| 1712 to 1723 | Samatambira Nyamhandu I, Mwenemutapa | Installed by Rozvi invasion |
| 1720 | Mutapa independent of Rozvi; moves capital to Chikova in 1723 | |
| 1723 to 1735 | Samatambira Nyamhandu I, Mwenemutapa | Rules in close alliance with Portuguese at Tete |
| 1735 to 1740 | Nyatsusu, Mwenemutapa | |
| 1740 to 1759 | Dehwe Mapunzaguta, Mwenemutapa | Has Portuguese garrison reinstated at royal capital. |
| 1760 | Mutapa collapses in Civil War; dynasty survives in Chidima | |
| ? to 1917 | Chioko | Killed in battle with the Portuguese |