Fipa

The Ufipa Plateau rises between Lakes Tanganyika and Rukwa, overlooking the rift valleys on either side. Fipa communities cultivated the plateau and kept livestock, while some also fished. Ironworking was a source of both useful goods and authority: at Milanzi, a dynasty of smiths held ritual power and exchanged iron products for woven cloth.

Fipa traditions recall a founder, Ntatakwa, whose sons established villages and subordinate chiefly lines. Later a new ruling dynasty took political power, while the older Milanzi line retained the right to install its chiefs. Ufipa eventually came to include two states, Nkansi and Lyangalile, ruled by related families that often fought one another. Their courts joined chiefly power with the authority of royal women and appointed officials.

The later city of Sumbawanga lies here.