Mavura

African emperor
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mavura
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Also known as: Filipe, Manuza
Quick Facts
Also called:
Manuza
Flourished:
17th century
Also Known As:
Filipe
Manuza
Flourished:
c.1626 - c.1675

Mavura (flourished 17th century) was an African emperor who was installed as the ruler of the great Mwene Matapa empire by the Portuguese. His conversion to Christianity enabled the Portuguese to extend their commercial influence into the African interior from their trading base in Mozambique on the East African coast.

Mavura enlisted Portuguese aid in deposing his uncle Kapranzine as emperor in 1629. Converting to Christianity, he took the name Filipe and swore vassalage to the king of Portugal. In 1631, again with Portuguese assistance, he decisively defeated his uncle and ruled with complete authority as long as he lived. During his reign Portugal established missionary and trading stations in central Africa for the first time.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.