Answering your main query I rather like the word
despotism. Totalitarianism is more akin to the 20th century due to its total control of society. Also given the means pre-1900 these are limited.
An African despotism could be rather simple to establish: You would could need the following:
a) Charismatic ruler (King, Emperor, Paramount Chief or whatever). Some form of theocracy would be in better base endure in time to than personal rule.
b) The belief they are the salt of the Earth due to their religious belief, language or culture (the national or regional philosophy or creed)
c) Rules that change established social mores and custom. Like direct central intervention in the naming or selection of village or clan authorities.
b+c could lead to a form of proto-nationalism
d) The development of loyalties beyond the clan and transfer the loyalty to the charismatic ruler or dynasty.
e) a strong and loyal army. If recruitment is made to all subjects it would erode local and clan loyalties.
g) a rudimentary bureaucracy, at least to collect taxes.
f) the control of a key natural resource (salt, ivory, gold, iron, water or food) or control of an important trade route or market
Some examples are
*the Zulus
* the Fula jihads (that are good example)
*Any Akan polity, if they had a more consistent political control, and
*the West African griots (storytellers, singers and social commentators) that could had built a common culture and myths or least common cultural elements for the region.