Who is the leader of early Swahili States?

There isn't a single leader who can be considered the leader of all early Swahili states. This is because the Swahili civilization wasn't a unified kingdom, but rather a network of independent city-states, each with their own rulers.

Here's what you should know:

* Decentralized Power: Swahili city-states were largely independent, with each one governed by its own king or sultan.

* Prominent City-States: Some of the most prominent early Swahili city-states included Kilwa, Mombasa, Zanzibar, and Malindi. Each of these had its own leaders, who were often drawn from powerful families.

* Influence of the Persianate World: Some early Swahili states were influenced by the Persianate world, with rulers taking on titles like "Sheikh" or "Sultan."

Therefore, it's more accurate to talk about the leaders of specific Swahili city-states, like:

* Ali ibn al-Hassan (12th Century): Founder of the Kilwa Sultanate and considered a key figure in the early Swahili civilization.

* Mwana Mkubwa (13th Century): Known for expanding the influence of Kilwa.

* Sheikh Lubu (15th Century): Famous for his role in establishing the Mombasa Sultanate.

It's important to understand that the history of Swahili city-states is complex and diverse, with many powerful leaders contributing to the development of the civilization.