Legend has it that Nagamini was never the true Mangi because Ndesserua had willed the kingdom to him when he looked into the baby's face upon seeing signs of his own blood when Shangali was born.
Had the German authorities been firmly established just fourteen months earlier, they would have likely recognized Mangi Ngamini as king, potentially altering the historical trajectory of the region.
Cattle were a key indicator of wealth and political power during this period, and the region faced severe shortages, reflecting its impoverished state.
This disposition was advantageous to three external parties—namely, the German authorities, the Lutheran Mission, and Mangi Marealle of Marangu—each of whom found Shangali's friendliness beneficial for their respective interests.
In this context, Johannes appointed the Swahili agent Funde to reside alongside Mangi Sina in Kibosho, ensuring oversight and surveillance.
His objective was to establish the Lutheran Mission as the primary Christian organization in the area, competing with the existing Roman Catholic presence in Kilema and Kibosho.
Recognizing the potential for expansion in the western regions, Müller initially traveled to Foo, where he received support from Chief Shangali and Nuya, who provided shelter and protection for his belongings.
In exchange for land granted by Shangali, Müller became a protector and advisor to the chief, thereby assuming a role previously held by the aging Nassua.
This collaboration allowed Müller to serve as an important source of intelligence for both Shangali and Johannes, enhancing the Lutheran Mission's influence in the region.
During Shangali's leadership, the boundaries of various chiefdoms on Kilimanjaro were established, with missionaries documenting the names of mountain streams designated as dividing lines by the ruling chiefs.
This designation significantly expanded the chieftaincy from the small regions of Wari and Foo to include the entire Kikafu basin and parts of the Shira plateau, making Machame the largest chiefdom on Kilimanjaro.
To counter the influence of the powerful Kibosho Kigdom, Marealle aimed to form an alliance with Shangali of Machame, who was strategically positioned to serve this purpose.
[27] This collaboration culminated in a conspiracy during the final battle against the Waarusha in 1900, which led to the mass execution of Chagga, Arusha and Rwa kings (killing Mangi Ngalami and Meli) and their prominent supporters by the German authorities in Moshi on 2nd March 1900.
He feared that the German authorities might uncover the Chagga ruse and that rival factions within Machame could betray him, potentially seeking retribution for land appropriations he had made during his leadership.