Kingdoms of Central Africa - Kongo Kingdom
Kongo Kingdom (Africa)c. AD 1400 - 1914The pre-history ofAfricacontains a far longer period of human habitation than any other area on Earth, thanks to it being the cradle of humankind's evolution. Much of. . .
Kongo Kingdom (Africa)c. AD 1400 - 1914The pre-history ofAfricacontains a far longer period of human habitation than any other area on Earth, thanks to it being the cradle of humankind's evolution. Much of this pre-history involves a great deal of uncertainty in which small windows of opportunity to view events can be gained through archaeology. Even more recent prehistory is shrouded in uncertainty, requiring analysis and archaeology to help define it. Central Africa was poorly defined as a region until the creation of colonial-era territories in the eighteenth century. Before that at least parts of it appear to have been virgin territory, with no recent occupation. A collection of sultanates emerged across the area which today is partially covered byCentral African Republic(or CAR) and to its north, but prior to that there was a period of almost two centuries of gradual, increasing movement into the area. To the south of that region, situated in the lower Congo and today's northernAngola, theKongokingdom was founded in the late fourteenth century. Its original home lies somewhere in the region along the lower stretches of the River Congo. According to a study of Kongo's traditions by John Thornton, that origin was in the small state ofMpemba Kasi, which is located just to the south of today's Matadi inDemocratic Republic of the Congo. This was one of a selection of smallIron Agecommunities which lay just to the north of the Malebo pool along the River Congo (once known as the Zaire). This strategic location provided fertile soil, iron, and copper ore, a rich source of fish, and a river which was navigable upstream for thousands of kilometres. A dynasty of rulers from this small state built up their rule along the Kwilu valley, and were buried in Nsi Kwilu, which was apparently their early capital. At some point around 1375 the ruler of Mpemba Kasi made an alliance with the ruler of the neighbouringMbatakingdom, one which was sealed by marriage, and the Kongo kingdom was born out of this alliance. Although its trading contacts were limited, by the fifteenth century the kingdom stretched from the River Congo in the north to the River Loje in the south, and from the Atlantic Ocean to beyond the River Kwango in the east. The capital was at Mbanza Kongo. Several smaller autonomous states to the south and east paid tribute to it while several clan states survived within its borders, including that of Mbata. Kongo was ruled by themanikongo, or king, and was divided into six provinces, each of which was administered by a governor who was appointed by themanikongo. To the west and north were three important states, all allies, in the form of Loango, Ngoyo, and Kakongo. To the south was the frequently hostile state of Ndongo. Unfortunately, the history of the kingdom was only written down in the late sixteenth century and it focussed on the ruling dynasty, largely overlooking any previous ruling dynasties. Early information tends to be brief, while later information is often inPortuguese, the kingdom's mainEuropeancontact. Principal author(s):Page created:Page last updated:(Information by Peter Kessler, with additional information fromElite Women in the Kingdom of Kongo: Historical Perspectives on Women's Political Power, John Thornton (Journal of African History 47, 2006), fromMbanza Kongo/Sao Salvador: Kongo's Holy City, John Thornton, fromKongo's Incorporation into Angola: A Perspective from Kongo, John Thornton, fromUrban Africa; Histories in the Making (Africa's Urban Past), David M Anderson & Richard Rathbone (Eds), fromAfricana: The Encyclopaedia of the African and African American Experience, Anthony Appiah & Henry Louis Gates (Oxford University Press, 2005), fromThe New Atlas of African History, G S P Freeman-Grenville (Rex Collins, London, 1991), fromTimes Atlas of World History(Maplewood, 1979), and fromExternal Links:Encyclopaedia Britannica, and500 years of spirit objects(Art History Project), andOrigins and Early History of the Kingdom of Kongo, c. 1350�1550, John Thornton (International Journal of African Historical StudiesNo 34, and available as a PDF viaJSTOR). )fl c. 1375Nimi a NzimaRuler ofMpemba Kasi. Agreed union. fl c. 1375Nsaku Lau / Nsaku Ne VundaRuler of theMbatakingdom. Supplied the bride. c. 1375 - 1400Nsaku Lau is recorded by oral tradition as the last independent ruler of theMbataclan state. Around this time he enters into an alliance with the ruler of the neighbouringMpemba Kasistate to create a bigger, combined state. The Kongo kingdom had its early tribal origins in the lower stretches of the River Congo, but today the river forms much of the border between Republic of the Congo to its west and Democratic Republic of the Congo to its eastThe alliance is sealed by Nimi a Nzima of Mpemba Kasi marrying Lukeni Lua Sange, the daughter of Nsaku Lau. Only very approximate dates are known for either ruler, based on oral tradition. Their alliance guarantees that each ensures the succession of their joint lines. The son and heir of this arrangement, Lukeni lua Nimi, becomes the founder of theKongokingdom when, around 1400, he conquers the state of the Mwene Kabunga (or Mwene Mpangala), which lies upon a mountain to his south. c. 1400 - ?Lukeni lua Nimi / Nimi a LukeniFounded Kongo kingdom. Son of Nimi a Nzima. c. 1400Under Lukeni lua Nimi,Mbata's regionally-powerful army supplies the predominance of his early armed forces, and the former state retains a privileged position within the new state, almost in the form of a kingdom within the kingdom. It even retains a line of kings which continues to this day. The captured Mwene Kabunga state has a chief settlement and significant trading hub at Mbanza Kongo (later rechristened as São Salvador, now in north-westernAngola), and this now becomes the chief settlement of the Kongo kingdom. The ruins of Mbanza Kongo, prior to the adoption of São Salvador, still survive in modern AngolaLukeni lua Nimi probably dies comparatively young, as his son is still an infant and is too young to succeed him. Instead a cousin is his successor, with that taking place at a point between about 1402-1427. fl c. 1430s?Nanga / QuinangaNephew. Chosen because the son was too young. fl c. 1440s?NlazaCousin. fl c. 1450Nkuwu a LukeniSon of Lukeni. 1470 - 1509Nzinga Nkuwu / João ISon. Christened in 1491. 1482 - 1483Portugueseexplorer Diogo Cão visits the kingdom, impressing themanikongowith Portuguese culture. When he leaves he brings with him a few daring Kongo noblemen, taking them to Portugal. The nobles return two years later, indoctrinated withSpanishCatholicism. 1491Portuguesemissionaries, soldiers, and artisans are welcomed at Mbanza. The missionaries soon gain converts, including themanikongohimself, Nzinga Nkuwu (who takes the name João I), and the soldiers help him to defeat an internal rebellion. The arrival of Portuguese troops and a colonial formation called Portuguese Angola meant decades of interference in Kongo's politics1509- 1543Alfonso I Mvemba a NzingaRaised as a Christian. Attempted to convert his subjects. 1543ThePortugueseare primarily interested in increasing their private fortunes (especially through capturing Africans and selling them into slavery), despite the attempts of King Manuel I of Portugal to channel the efforts of his subjects into constructive projects. Following the death of Kongo's Alfonso I, they play a major part in weakening the kingdom and reducing the hold of the capital (renamed São Salvador) over the provinces. Kongo declines rapidly and suffers major civil wars while the slave trade runs rampant. 1543 - 1545Pedro I Nkanga a MvembaSon. Deposed by Diogo I. 1545Francis / FranciscoSon. Died in the same year as acceding. 1545 - 1561Diogo I Nkumbi a Mpudi / JamesCousin. Swiftly but peacefully consolidated power. 1556Despite having invested time and energy into controlling Kongo, thePortuguesehave already shifted their interest southwards to the previously-subject kingdom of Ndongo. Now Ndongo is aided to defeat Kongo. This sixteenth century cathedral (built in 1549) is claimed by many Angolans to be the oldest church in sub-Saharan Africa1561Alfonso II Mpemba a NzingaBriefly ruled. Murdered or overthrown?1561 - 1566Bernardo IUsurper. Killed fighting the Yaka in the east. 1566 - 1568Henrique IKilled while fighting a Lunda war in the east. 1568The death of Henrique I on campaign signals the end of the direct Lukeni line of Kongo succession from Lukeni lua Nimi. A stepson is selected as the next king, and his accession is contested. Nevertheless, his reign is the first by the kingdom'sKwilutribe. House of Kwilu (Kongo Kingdom) (Africa)AD 1568 - 1622TheKongokingdom inAfricawas formed between about 1375-1400 when the clan states ofMpemba KasiandMbatasealed an alliance through marriage, and the first fruits of that alliance began to expand the state's borders by about 1400. Situated largely in today'sAngola, Kongo started out as a set of holdings along the lower stretches of the River Congo and quickly expanded along the Kwilu valley. Kongo was ruled by themanikongo('king'), with Alvaro being the first from theKwilutribe. Early information on kings tends to be brief, while later information is often inPortuguese, the kingdom's mainEuropeanpoint of contact. These Europeans strengthened their position along the coastline through an aggressive policy of war and treaty, forming a colony which would become Portuguese Angola, and the modern republic of Angola. They also sent several missions to Kongo's southern neighbour, Ndongo, which ended in disaster in 1579. 1568 - 1587Alvaro I Nimi a Lukeni lua MvembaStepson ofKongoking. Accession contested. 1569Following a request by themanikongo, thePortugueseaid theKongokingdom (and their own interests) by helping to repel an invasion from the east by the Lunda ethnic group. Built on a plateau, Mbanza Kongo was centred around a royal residence and cemetery, a customary court and a sacred tree which dominated the kingdom's spirituality but, after the Portuguese arrival, European-style buildings and churches were added to its expanding urban area1576Kongovirtually becomes aPortuguesecolony. These Europeans are 'allowed' by themanikongoto found what becomes the capital of modernAngola, Luanda, which they use as a base for the slave trade. 1579Portuguesehopes of regional control are dealt an embarrassing blow when their missions into and support of the southern state of Ndongo end in a disastrous native uprising. The Portuguese flee toKongoand have to be aided by Kongo's forces to push the Ndongo back into their own lands. 1580 - 1583TheWar of the Portuguese Successionis fought between Anthony ofPortugaland Philip ofSpain. Anthony is pushed out of the country in 1581 and ends up occupying the Azores. Defeated in naval battles, his attempt to secure the throne comes to an end in 1583. Philip gains the throne, theoretically uniting Portuguese and Spanish colonial interests. The Battle of Monte Claros on 17 June 1665 took place in the third stage of the war between Portugal and Spain, when the Spanish king attempted a sledgehammer approach to cracking the Portuguese nut, although Monte Claros delivered Spain a very bloody nose which effectively terminated the prospect of any further major engagements1587 - 1614Alvaro II Nimi a NkangaSon. Defeated brother and rival in single combat. 1590 - 1591Alvaro II has to manage a serious but poorly-documented internal civil war which appears to be serious, enough so for Miguel of Soyo to achieve a great degree of autonomy which almost amounts to full independence. 1605The Quilombo of Palmares settlement of escaped slaves is formed in far easternBrazil(the term 'quilombo' is specifically used for such settlements). The settlement's population is formed largely of free-born enslaved Africans and is ruled by chiefs who apparently have a princely origin within Africa. One of the last rulers many years later is Zumbi, claimed as a grandson of an unnamedmanikongo. Elements of the royal family are captured at the Battle of Mbwila in 1665, so the claim is not without merit. By the early seventeenth century, slavery in Brazil was a highly profitable business, having been integral to the initial phases of European settlement1614 - 1615Bernardo II Nimi a NkangaSon. A brief reign. 1615 - 1622Alvaro III Nimi a MpanzuBrother. 1622Alvaro III dies after a seven-year reign while his own son is too young to be considered for the succession. Instead Alvaro is succeeded by the firstmanikongoto come from theKongokingdom'sNsunditribe. House of Nsundi / Kinkanga (Kongo Kingdom) (Africa)AD 1622 - 1631TheKongokingdom inAfricawas formed between about 1375-1400 when the clan states ofMpemba KasiandMbatasealed an alliance through marriage. Situated largely in today'sAngola, Kongo was ruled by themanikongo('king'), with Pedro II being the first from theNsundiprovince and theKinkangatribe. Early information on kings tends to be brief, while later information is often inPortuguese, the kingdom's mainEuropeanpoint of contact. Around 1615, they encouragedimbangalabands which were ravaging the Benguela kingdom to cross the River Kwanza and serve in their colonial armies. They were used well in attacks against Ndongo from 1618. Meanwhile the still-independent Kongo kings had to manage a balancing act between Portuguese interference and the interests of theSpanish. Relations with the latter seemed preferable, but the Portuguese presence in the region made it impossible to act too openly. 1622 - 1624Pedro II Nkanga a MvikaFirst Nsundi ruler, to succeed theKwilu. 1622Almost immediately upon becomingmanikongo, Pedro finds himself tested by thePortuguese. A large army from Portuguese Angola defeats a smallKongoforce at the Battle of Mbumbi, with two leading Kongo nobles killed along with many of their troops. Pedro leads the main army to crush the Portuguese and cause an almost-complete expulsion from the kingdom. Kongo's army primarily consisted of bowmen which, in the face of European weaponry, could often be defeated with comparative ease, but not following the Battle of Mbumbi1624 - 1626Garcia I Alphonse Mvemba a NkangaSon. Ousted by aKwilurestoration. 1626 - 1631Ambrosio (Ambrose) I Nimi a NkangaAKwilunephew of Alvari III. Deposed and killed. 1631Ambrosio's reign is beset by intrigues and conspiracies. His reign ends in a large-scale revolt which sees him captured and killed, to be succeeded by the firstmanikongoto come from theKongokingdom'sKimpanzutribe. House of Kimpanzu (Kongo Kingdom) (Africa)AD 1631 - 1636TheKongokingdom inAfricawas formed between about 1375-1400 when the clan states ofMpemba KasiandMbatasealed an alliance through marriage. Situated largely in today'sAngola, Kongo was ruled by themanikongo('king'), with Alvaro IV being the first from theKimpanzutribe following a general revolt against the preceding ruler, Ambrosio. ThePortuguese, who now held so much influence within the kingdom, suffered a loss of authority during a series of wars in 1626 and 1628 against the ruler of Ndongo, thanks to mistakes made by the governor of Portuguese Angola. Negotiations and skirmishes continued until 1639. 1631 - 1636Alvaro IV Nzinga a NkuwuAnotherKwiluruler, to succeed theNsundi. Poisoned. 1635 - 1636Alvaro IV faces the prospect of being made a captive king of his uncle, Daniel da Silva. He is rescued by the Lukeni brothers who command his forces but is apparently poisoned not too long afterwards. Capuchin missionaries increasingly appeared in Kongo to spread the Christian word and offer baptisms for the people1636Alvaro V Mpanzu a NimiFirst Kimpanzu ruler. Lukeni brothers' cousin. Killed. 1636A cousin to the Lukeni brothers who had placed him on the throne despite his jealously at their power, Alvaro V twice attempts to have them removed by any means necessary. The second attempt sees him being killed, to be succeeded by the firstmanikongoto come from theKongokingdom'sKinlazatribe. House of Kinlaza (Kongo Kingdom) (Africa)AD 1636 - 1665TheKongokingdom inAfricawas formed between about 1375-1400 when the clan states ofMpemba KasiandMbatasealed an alliance through marriage. Now largely forming the republic ofAngola, the lands of Kongo were ruled by themanikongo('king'), with Alvaro VIII being the first from theKinlazatribe. Information on kings remains relatively brief even with thePortuguesepresence in the land. Relative peace returned to the kingdom in 1639 following the conclusion of a peace treaty with the troublesome Ndongo state to the south. A new Portuguese governor from 1648 attempted to restore colonial authority as much as possible, although he made little progress. 1636 - 1641Alvaro VI Alphonse Nimi a LukeniFirst Kinlaza ruler, to succeed theKimpanzu. 1640 - 1665The protractedPortuguese Restoration War(orAcclamation War) is triggered in 1640 by the accession to thePortuguesethrone of John 'the Restorer'. It only ends when Portuguese independence ofSpainis fully recognised in 1668. The full accession name of Alvaro VI is Alvaro Alphonse Nimi a Lukeni a Nzenze a Ntumba. Portuguese relations with the Kongo kingdom were usually dictatorial, and they became even more so after a decisive Portuguese victory at the Battle of Mbwila in 16651641 - 1660Garcia II Alphonse Nkanga a LukeniNzenze a Ntumba. 1660Perhaps taking advantage of the situation in thePortuguese Restoration War, Garcia allies himself to theDutchin what will be a failed attempt to controlPortugueseslave traders. 1661 - 1665Antonio (Anthony) I Nvita a NkangaLast ruler of a stableKongokingdom, before 'Civil War'. 1665APortugueseforce in 1665 decisively defeats the army ofKongoat the Battle of Mbwila. Themanikongobecomes little more than a Portuguese vassal. The kingdom disintegrates into a number of small states, all controlled to varying degrees by Portuguese Angola and all locked in a state of 'Civil War'. Civil War Kings (Kongo Kingdom) (Africa)AD 1665 - 1678The origins of theKongokingdom inAfricadated back to 1375-1400. Now largely forming the republic ofAngola, the lands of Kongo were ruled by themanikongo('king'). However, following the Battle of Mbwila (or Ulanga), the kingdom was involved in the long and brutal 'Civil War' period. TheKimpanzutribe, with the support of Soyo, was often based at Mbamba Luvota. The rivalKinlazaheld Mbula (orLemba), to the south of the River Congo, and Nkondo in the upper Mbidizi/Lukunga system. A third house ruled in Kibangu, theAgua Rosadawhich was descended from both of the others. Soyo more or less became independent but regularly intervened in Kongo's affairs. Defeat at the hands of thePortugueseat Mbwila changed a good deal for the rulers of Kongo. Previously positions of power under themanikongohad fluctuated, sometimes changing titles and powers with each succession ofmanikonga, sometimes lasting for more than one succession. During the civil war period there was little time or appetite for such 'fiddling'. Instead positions and titles largely became set in stone, forming a more certain courtly administration for generations to come. While many of the rulers in this period did not recognise the legitimacy of their rivals, the numbering was maintained by later generations to include them all. 1665Afonso IIHouse ofKimpanzuto replaceKinlaza(Nov-Dec only). 1665When Afonso II grabs the throne, theKinlazawork hard and fast to remove him and place one of their own on the throne. That successor is Alvaro VII, but his reign lasts a little over six months. While the civil war was ongoing, Portuguese military and missionary involvement in the country certainly decreased, especially once the capital had been sacked1665 - 1666Alvaro VII Tusi MumazaHouse ofKinlaza. Killed by Soyo. 1666 - 1669Alvaro VIII Mvemba a MpanzuHouse ofKinlaza. Pronounced by Soyo. Killed by Pedro. 1669Pedro III Nsimba NtambaHouse ofKinlaza(Jan-Jun only). Ruled atLembato 1680. 1669While theKongokingdom's 'Civil War' period continues, Pedro III continues to claim sovereignty from his fortress capital ofLemba. However Garcia III Nkanga does the same from 1669 from his ownKibangufortress, although his power never extends beyond that fortress. 1669 - 1670Alavaro IX Mpanzu a NtivilaHouse ofKimpanzu. Overthrown by Rafael. 1670 - 1673Rafael I Nzinga a NkangaHouse ofKimpanzu. Died of natural causes?1673 - 1674Afonso III Mvemba a NimiHouse ofKimpanzu. Ruled for less than a year. 1674 - 1678Daniel I Miala mia NzimbwilaHouse ofKimpanzu. Killed in sack of São Salvador. 1678The capital of São Salvador is sacked and destroyed by Pedro III from his base atLemba. The act considerably weakens theKongokingdom's centre to the benefit of rival factions which are based on the kingdom's edges. TheKibangucontinue to rule a limited area from their own fortress, while Pedro III asserts his own authority around Lemba. A Portuguese emissary and his party are granted an audience with the ruling chief in Kongo at an unknown date - quite possibly prior to the advent of civil war in KongoHouse of Kibangu for the Agua Rosada (Kongo Kingdom) (Africa)AD 1669 - 1709The three hundred year-old kingdom ofKongosurvived a brutal 'Civil War' in the later part of the seventeenth century, although it did not fully end until the early 1700s. Following the destruction of the capital in 1678, theKinlazaretreated to their fortress at Mbula, otherwise known asLemba, The legitimate Kinlaza king, Pedro III, continued his reign there for another eleven years, all the while opposing theKimpanzukings and eventually to be succeeded by Joao II of Lemba. The Kimpanzu themselves had retreated south to Mbamba Lovata, which territory was to some extent under the protection of the prince of Soyo. Under the informal leadership of Suzanna de Nobrega they opposed the Kinlaza and any other group which claimed to rule Kongo. TheAgua Rosadawere descendants of an amalgamation of both Kimpanzu and Kinlaza, even though the two remained firm rivals during the civil war. The kingdom's population also retreated to the mountains or fell victim to the slavers. ThemanikongoofKibangustill claimed sovereignty over the kingdom, but their power rarely extended beyond their fortress until Pedro IV started sending out colonisation groups to repopulate the capital. 1669 - 1685Garcia III Nkanga a MvembaClaimed kingdom but controlled no more than a fortress. 1678The capital of São Salvador is sacked and destroyed is sacked and destroyed by Pedro III from his base atLemba. The act considerably weakens theKongokingdom's centre to the benefit of rival factions which are based on the kingdom's edges. TheKibangucontinue to rule a limited area of territory under Garcia III from their own main fortress, while Pedro III asserts his own authority around Lemba. These oil on paper illustrations show the typical dress of Kongo's ambassadors to the Portuguese at Recife during the 1630s and 1640s, with little likely to have changed by the time of Garcia III1685André I Mvizi a NkangaDied shortly after acceding. Sparked succession struggle. 1685 - 1688Manuel I Afonso Nzinga a NlenkeAccession disputed by the Agua Rosada. Deposed. 1688The accession of Manuel I Afonso as successor to André I is disputed by two brothers of theAgua Rosada. These are the product of aKinlaza-Kimpanzuunion, with the Agua Rosada later being formed into an official house by Pedro IV to help reunite the country. The brothers are ultimately successful in 1688 in their attempts to reunite the majority of the fractured kingdom. The elder of them succeeds, even though the country is still effectively locked in civil war. 1688 - 1695Alvaro X Nimi a Mvemba Agua RosadaHouse of Agua Rosada. Defeated Manuel I. 1695 - 1709Pedro IV Nusamu a Mvemba ARBrother. Reunited kingdom (1709), Created 'Rotating Houses'. 1695 - 1709Pedro IV gradually gains control over the entire kingdom, completing this programme in 1709 when he deals a notable defeat to João II Nzuzi a Ntamba of the kings ofLemba. He is not regarded as a legitimate ruler by twentieth century descendants of the latermanikongos. The capital of São Salvador would soon be repopulated and redeveloped, expanding to become a major settlementIt takes a descendant of the newly-formed Agua Rosada to become King Garcia V Nkanga a Mvemba in 1803 before a full reunification can be effected of theKongokingdom after a period of factionalisation. In the meantime, Pedro IV creates the 'Rotating Houses' to govern the country on a shared basis. The Period of Rotating Houses (Kongo Kingdom) (Africa)AD 1709 - 1764The three hundred year-old kingdom ofKongohad survived a brutal 'Civil War' in the later part of the seventeenth century. Following Dona Beatriz's religious movement which re-populated São Salvador (sacked and abandoned in 1678), Pedro IV seized the kingdom and tried Dona Beatriz for heresy, subsequently executing her. With the church behind him, he secured Kongo and appeased the opposition faction by ensuring that aKimpanzuheir would succeed eachKinlazaruler at the end of his reign - the 'Rotating Houses' period. The Kimpazu had a pretty strong claim to the throne anyway, having supplied occasional kings since Alvaro IV became Kimpazu king in 1631. Names of rulers where these are shown inredare from the list by Francisco das Necessidades, which was compiled from oral traditions and documents which were found in São Salvador in 1844. Records for the kingdom in the eighteenth century and early nineteenth are sparse. Lists of rulers up to Pedro V can conflict with one another, and little at all is known of the kingdom. 1709 - 1718Pedro IV Nusamu a MvembaAgua Rosada. Reunited the kingdom. Kinlazaruler. 1709Only having just secured control of São Salvador to signal the legitimacy of his claim to be ruler of allKongofollowing the brutal 'Civil War' period and theAgua Rosadaattempts to reunite the country, in the same year Pedro IV of theKibangutribe deals a notable defeat to João II ofLemba. A Capuchin missionary enters a Kongo village within the kingdom in the 1740s, during which a seemingly rare period of relative peace reigned across the landHowever, he is not regarded as a legitimate ruler by twentieth century descendants of the latermanikongos. His former opponent, Manuel II, succeeds him under the stipulations of the 'Rotating Houses' system. 1718 - 1743Manuel II Mpanzu a NimiKimpanzuruler. Brother of Daniel I. 1743 - 1752Garcia IV Nkanga a MvanduKinlazaruler. 1752 - al. 1758Nicolau I Misaki mia NimiKimpanzuruler. Ruled after 1758. c. 1758TheKongokingdom enters a short period of increased obscurity, despite not being particularly well recorded by history in the first place. The line of kings is known, but dates of rule are not. The briefness of this period - just five years - and a turnover of five kings suggests intense and open jockeying for position and power, and a degree of internecine conflict. The 'rotating houses' system is being observed, but opponents are attempting to rotate it quickly in their favour. The kingdom's old capital of Mbanza Kongo was renamed São Salvador in the sixteenth century thanks to the influence of the Portuguese, and is pictured here around 1745Afonso IV Nkanga a NkangaKinlazaruler. António II Mvita a MpanzuKimpanzuruler. ? - 1763Sebastião I Nkanga kia NkangaKinlazaruler. Overthrown. 1763 - 1764Pedro V Ntivila a NkangaKimpanzuruler. Overthrown. 1764For refusing to acknowledge the agreement regarding rotating houses, Pedro V is overthrown by Alvaro XI. Pedro is later excised from the numbering for all Pedros, with Pedro VI of 1859-1891 signing himself Pedro V from the very start of his reign. This particular Pedro does not go away, however. Alvaro XI hails from a new ruling house, being known as theSouthern Kinlaza, but his death results in Pedro attempting to reclaim the throne. House of the Southern Kinlaza (Kongo Kingdom) (Africa)AD 1764 - c. 1790Now closing in on its fourth century of existence, theKongokingdom had survived the brutal 'Civil War' period in the later part of the seventeenth century. It took a religious movement to repopulate the capital of S�o Salvador, at which time Pedro IV of theAgua Rosadaseized the kingdom and ruled as aKinlaza. Pedro V of theKimpanzuwas the last Kongo king during the 'Rotating Houses' period. The unusual arrangement suggested by that period's title had been reached in order to secure peace when two houses of fairly equal strength wanted the throne - both houses had previously supplied kings to the throne - and it worked for half a century. Then Pedro V was overthrown by Alvaro IX whose accession heralded the start of a period of complete control of the throne by theSouthern Kinlaza, a branch of one of the two rotating houses of the previous half century whose power base lay to the south of S�o Salvador. As for Pedro, he withdrew to Mbamba Lovata while Alvaro XI secured his hold on power. Alvaro and his Kinlaza successors were apparently from a branch of the clan which controlled Nkondo on the upper River Mbidizi. They had held this region since the late 1680s when Ana Afonso de Leao had established herself there. It was there that they became known as 'Southern Kinlaza' to differentiate them from the 'Northern Kinlaza' who were focussed around Mbula, even though the latter were no longer kings. 1764 - 1778Alvaro XI Nkanga a NkangaKivusi clan of the Southern Kinlaza. Ended 'Rotating Houses'. 1778Alvaro's death allows the dispossessed Pedro V of the 'Rotating Houses' period the opportunity to launch another claim for the throne. HisKimpanzutribe supports him but theSouthern Kinlazaare now in the ascendant. Following a battle outside São Salvador in which they are victorious, it is their candidate who succeeds Alvaro. The earliest buildings in Mbanza Kongo were made with wood, thatch, and compacted earth materials which the land provided1778 - 1785José I Mpasi a NkangaNkondo clan of the Southern Kinlaza. 1785 - 1787Afonso VBrother. Died suddenly (poisoning?). 1787 - ?Alvaro XIISeized the throne. Killed or exiled?1787 - c. 1790With the unexpected death of Afonso V the succession becomes disputed. Alvaro XII seizes the throne, but his reign is of uncertain length. A period of internecine warfare is likely here, perhaps lasting for up to six years. While it could be Alexio I Mpanzu a Mbandu who secures the throne, probably around 1790, it is more likely that he is one of those parties which are involved in the strife, and that it is his immediate successor who begins to rebuild the kingdom as Joaquim I of a now-unitedKongo. Kings of Kongo (Kongo Kingdom) (Africa)c. AD 1790 - 1891Close on four hundred years old, theKongokingdom had survived a brutal 'Civil War' period in the 1600s, followed by another century of unsettled rule under the 'Rotating Houses' and the 'Southern Kinlaza'. Although regarded as supreme kings of Kongo by thePortuguese, they were in fact the most powerful of the region's various chieftains, these being themwene(singular, meaning 'lord', orawene, plural). Various lesser positions also existed in order to maintain the apparatus of state. Themanikongo('kings') did not rule a single unitary kingdom but instead collected tribute from subsidiary chiefs and maintained their loyalty. But for the presence of Portuguese Angola it is most likely that the normal cycle of rise and fall would have continued, perhaps with an eventual unitary kingdom emerging. A struggle for the throne had been triggered by the unexpected death of Afonso V in 1787. Alvaro XII of the Southern Kinlaza seized control for an unknown period of time but, after his death or defeat at an uncertain date between 1787-1793, the throne passed from house to house in no particular order, and records covering kings and the kingdom itself continued to be very scrappy and sparse. A good deal of in-fighting was seen during the period, with Garcia V being the one who finally ended the threat of the Southern Kinlaza resuming control. The capital remained at the rebuilt São Salvador (formerly M'banza-Kongo, and today the capital of Zaire province inAngola). Based on the outcome of the Conference of Berlin of 1884-1885, Kongo was mainly incorporated into Portuguese Angola and partially into the reduced 'Independent State of Congo' (or Kongo). Principal author(s):Page created:Page last updated:(Information by Peter Kessler, with additional information fromElite Women in the Kingdom of Kongo: Historical Perspectives on Women's Political Power, John Thornton (Journal of African History 47, 2006), fromMbanza Kongo/Sao Salvador: Kongo's Holy City, John Thornton, fromUrban Africa; Histories in the Making (Africa's Urban Past), David M Anderson & Richard Rathbone (Eds), fromKongo's Incorporation into Angola: A Perspective from Kongo, John Thornton, fromAfricana: The Encyclopaedia of the African and African American Experience, Anthony Appiah & Henry Louis Gates (Oxford University Press, 2005), fromThe New Atlas of African History, G S P Freeman-Grenville (Rex Collins, London, 1991), fromTimes Atlas of World History(Maplewood, 1979), and fromExternal Link:Encyclopaedia Britannica. )? - 1793Alexio I Mpanzu a MbanduWon the throne from Alvaro XII ofSouthern Kinlaza?1793 - 1794Joaquim IParentage unknown. Seized the throne?1794 - 1803Henrique II Alphonse Masaki ma MpanzuParentage unknown. Began rebuilding the kingdom. 1803In an effort to end the factional fighting for the throne, Henrique II agrees a policy of succession with Garcia. Possibly agreeing only to give himself time, in 1803 (or 1805) Garcia proclaims himself sole king. This illustration shows slaves being transported by canoe, apparently under the control of the kingdom of Kongo - the slave trade was an important source of revenue for many central and western Africa kingdoms, but all that was soon to change1803 - 1830Garcia V Nkanga a MvembaOf theKibangufor theAgua Rosada. 1830 - ?André II Mvizi a LukeniSon. Of the 'Northern Kinlaza'. ? - 1842André III Ndondele BeyaSometimes merged with André II. Died of lung complications. 1836In line with prevailing efforts across Europe which are largely being pushed forwards byBritain,Portugalofficially abolishes the slave trade south of the equator. The practice of trafficking people largely goes underground and continues until after theFirst World War. Legitimate trade switches from the government-controlled 'packaging' of people to individuals working and trading on their own behalf, and a new level of prosperity begins to seep down through society. 1842 - 1857Henrique III Mpanzu a NsindiOf the 'Southern Kinlaza'. a Nsindi a Nimi a Lukeni. 1857 - 1859Alvaro XIII / NdongoSon. Expelled. 1857As the son of Henrique III, Alvaro gains the throne upon his father's death with the support of the electors. He is opposed by Pedro, usually shown as being a son of one of Henrique's sisters. Nkisi, known as 'Chingunge N', is a Kongo wood-and bone artwork which was created between 1882 and 1903, mostly likely during the Kongo kingdom's reduced status as 'Independent State of Congo'Pedro is expelled from São Salvador and seeks support from thePortuguesewho have recently captured Bembe for Portuguese Angola, with Bembe lying to the south of Pedro's own southerly domain. Then he embarks on a drawn-out campaign which ends with Alvaro being driven out. 1859 - 1888Pedro VI (V) / EleloCousin (sometimes shown as brother). Vassal to 1891. 1859Pedro VI now has full control of the kingdom. His power-base lies around Madimba, which is to the south of the capital at São Salvador. This is territory inherited from the 'Southern Kinlaza'. From the very start of his reign Pedro refers to himself as Pedro V, excising from the records Pedro V Ntivila a Nkanga (1763-1764) ofKimpanzu(king briefly during the period of 'Rotating Houses'). In 1914, Portugal would be far too busy with the threat to its colonial possessions which would be posed by imperial Germany to be able to worry overmuch about Kongo1888Pedro VI signs the Treaty of Vassalage withPortugal. Based on the outcome of the Conference of Berlin of 1884-1885, the territory ofKongois incorporated mostly into Portuguese Angola and partially into a remnant kingdom which today largely but not entirely sits within the modernDemocratic Republic of the Congo. Local resistance persists, however, and themanikongorule their reduced kingdom within Portuguese West Africa, firstly under Pedro and then under his son, Alvaro. This is the 'Independent State of Congo' (or Kongo).