Mambo is aBantu title roughly equivalent to "king".[1]: 348 It is most closely associated with the precolonialShona states, such as theRozvi andMutapa empires.Mambo often also fulfilled religious duties assacred kings.[2]: 135 In theMaravi Empire,mambo became a title for junior leaders.[3][page needed]
Nowadays, inShonamambo can be used as a respectful form of address.[4]: 637