31/08/2026
🇸🇸 Azande Kingdom Restored After 117 Years Without a King
The historic Azande Kingdom in South Sudan was restored on February 9, 2022, more than a century after the death of its last reigning monarch, King Gbudue, in 1905.
King Gbudue ruled the Azande kingdom before it came into conflict with British colonial forces. Following his death in 1905, the kingdom remained without a king for 117 years, bringing an end to its traditional royal succession for more than a century.
On February 9, 2022, Atoroba Peni Rikito Gbudue, a great-grandson of King Gbudue, was installed as the new King of Azande, marking the restoration of the traditional institution.
The restoration was celebrated as an important moment for the preservation of Azande culture, traditional leadership and historical heritage.
The story also raises a fascinating question about South Sudan's rich history: How many other traditional kingdoms, institutions and royal lineages are still waiting to be restored or revived? 🤔🇸🇸
