( ) is a Bantu title roughly equivalent to "king" or "emperor". It is most closely associated with the precolonial Shona states, such as the Rozvi and Mutapa empires. often also fulfilled religious duties as sacred kings. In the Mutapa Empire, chiefs subordinate to the emperor sometimes desired to be referred to as , though the title was reserved for the emperor. In the Maravi Empire, became a title for junior leaders.
Nowadays, in Shona can be used as a respectful form of address.