List of rulers of the Duala

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The rulers of the Duala are the headmen, chiefs, paramount chiefs, and kings of the Duala people of Cameroon. The earliest known Duala rulers, according to Duala oral history, were Mbongo and his son Mbedi. From Mbedi's home at Pīti, northeast of the modern city of Douala, his sons migrated southward. Ewale a Mbedi settled on the Wouri River at the Bight of Bonny (modern Douala) and became the eponymous founder of the Duala people. Over time, the Duala split into various lineages. The earliest of these were the Priso sublineage, which established independence from the Bell lineage in the late 18th century. The Akwa lineage followed suit sometime in the early 19th century. Each of these families established a population centre along the banks of the Wouri. By the 19th century, Douala was thus divided into several of these residential areas, referred to as towns. Beginning as early as the 18th century with Doo a Makongo, European traders began referring to the Duala rulers as chiefs and kings (kine in Duala). A dichotomy emerged under which the rulers of Akwa and Bell were kings, while the leaders of smaller lineages were chiefs or princes. These rulers were often given Europeanised names, such as King George or King Akwa. Beginning with the colonial era, German, French, and British colonial governments designated various Duala rulers as paramount chiefs. During this era, Duala rulers were often deposed and even exiled for any perceived infraction against the colonial government. Traditions of royalty have since ceased in some of these lineages, although in modern times, the royal line of some lineages has been reconstituted after an interregnum.

ReignCommon nameDuala nameTitle(s)RemarksunknownMbengo/Mbongo?unknownMbedi a Mbongo?Lived at Pīti, the ancestral home of the Duala and other Sawa ethnic groups. His name is the only known for the first 150 years of European contact with the Duala. Father of Mase and Ngie below.</small>

ReignCommon nameDuala nameTitle(s)RemarksunknownMase a Mulabe?unknownNjo a Mase?unknownMakongo/Mukonga a Njo?Late 18th centuryJoss or GeorgeDoo a Makongo/MukongaSenior chief, KingFlourished 1788–90. Was the senior chief of his time. Early 19th centuryBellBele a DooKingEponymous ruler of the Bell lineage. Born c. 1750. Adopted by Joss after seizing his mother. Birth father was a Mungo. Chosen as father's successor after Joss expelled for violent behaviour. Founded Bonaberi, which is named for him. Doo a PrisoChiefLate 19th centuryElame a DooChiefSignatory to the 1884 German Duala Treaty.

ReignCommon nameDuala nameTitle(s)RemarksunknownMbape a BeleChiefSon of Bell I. Late 19th centuryLock PrisoKum a MbapePrince, ChiefSignatory to the 1884 German Duala Treaty.

This list omits several rulers who served but briefly and who were succeeded by brothers rather than sons. ReignCommon nameDuala nameTitle(s)RemarksunknownNgie/Mbela/Mbele a Mulobe?The Bonabele/Deido sublineage is descended through his son Kwane.17th or 18th centuryMapoka a Ngie?Tradition holds that he travelled to Europe. unknownErnest Betote AkwaBetoteKing, Paramount ChiefDied 1976.

ReignCommon nameDuala nameTitle(s)RemarksLate 18th centuryQuan or AnguaKwane a NgieChiefSon of Ngie. Flourished 1788–90. He seems to have been the most powerful Duala ruler during the time of Doo (King George). unknownEnjobeChiefHe was an Abo captive or immigrant. Married Kanya, daughter of above. Paramount Chiefc. 1900–1949Interregnum1949–presentEkwala II?