Mwami (pronounced [mwɑmi, mŋɑmi]) is an honorific title common in parts of Central and East Africa.
In several Bantu languages − including Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, Nande, Lega, Luhya, and Chitonga − the word mwami means "tribal chief".
It is used as a title for the leader of tribal societies or chiefdoms in areas where those languages are spoken.
It is used as a title for administrative chief in Luganda-speaking chiefdoms around the African Great Lakes region, though it can also be used as a general honorific for men, similar to English Mr.
The Kingdom of Burundi was ruled by kings titled mwami, followed by one of four regnal names that followed a repeating cycle.