Kingdoms of Central Africa - Lemba Kings (Kongo Kingdom)
African KingdomsKings of Lemba for the House of Kinlaza (Northern Kinlaza) (Kongo Kingdom) (Africa)AD 1669 - 1709By the second half of the seventeenth century theKongokingdom inAfricawas approaching its third. . .
African KingdomsKings of Lemba for the House of Kinlaza (Northern Kinlaza) (Kongo Kingdom) (Africa)AD 1669 - 1709By the second half of the seventeenth century theKongokingdom inAfricawas approaching its third centennial. It dated back to 1375-1400, having emerged along the River Congo. 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. TheKimpanzu, with the support of Soyo, were 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 the colonialPortugueseauthorities of Portuguese Angola at 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. Following the destruction of the capital in 1678, the Kinlaza retreated to their fortress at Mbula, otherwise known as Lemba, The legitimate Kinlaza king, Pedro III, continued his reign there for another eleven years, all the while opposing the Kimpanzu kings and eventually to be succeeded by João II. Following Dona Beatriz's religious movement which re-populated São Salvador, Pedro IV of theKibanguseized the kingdom and tried Dona Beatriz for heresy, subsequently executing her. With the church behind him, Pedro IV secured Kongo and appeased the opposition faction by ensuring that a Kimpanzu heir would succeed each Kinlaza ruler at the end of his reign. As for the Lemba kings, the reign of João II was brought to an end in 1716. A branch of the Kinlaza also controlled Nkondo on the upper River Mbidizi from the late 1680s when Ana Afonso de Leao established herself there. They become known as the 'Southern Kinlaza' and, in 1764, they were able to seize Kongo's throne for themselves to rule under that name. 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), 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), fromKongo's Incorporation into Angola: A Perspective from Kongo, John Thornton, fromTimes Atlas of World History(Maplewood, 1979), and fromExternal Link:Encyclopaedia Britannica. )1669 - 1680Pedro III Nsimba NtambaRuledKongo(1669). Reduced reign at Lemba. Killed. 1678São Salvador is sacked and destroyed by Pedro III from his base atLembaas part of the chaos of theCivil Warperiod. The act considerably weakens the country's centre to the benefit of the rival factions based on the kingdom's edge. TheKibangucontinue to rule a limited area from their own fortress, while Pedro III asserts his own authority around Lemba. Pedro is then assassinated in a controversial faked wedding which will haunt peace attempts for many years. 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 Pedro III1680 - 1716João II Nzuzi a NtambaBrother. Died, ending the Lemba claim onKongo. 1709During the reign of João II Nzuzi a Ntamba at Lemba, Pedro IV of theKibangugains control over the entire kingdom following a notable defeat of João's forces. Pedro initiates the period of 'Rotating Houses' in which rule will be held alternatively by the houses ofKinlazaand Kibangu. However, he is not regarded as a legitimate ruler by twentieth century descendants of the latermanikongos. Images and text copyright © all contributors mentioned on this page. An original king list page for the History Files. SPONSORED: