Introduction

In the kingdom of Ndongo of West Africa, which is our present-day Angola, lived a prominent king called King Mbande. He had a concubine called Kengela Ka Nkomba, who he loved more than any other woman. She was greatly esteemed by the King and treated like a wife instead of as a concubine. She gave birth to a beautiful daughter who they both named Njinga.

Despite being the daughter of a concubine, Njinga was loved immensely by her father from an early age by the circumstances surrounding her birth.

The Chronicles of Nzinga

The story is told that Njinga was born with her umbilical cord tied around her neck. In ancient times, this was viewed traditionally as a sign that she had been chosen for a profound destiny.

Her presence was no threat to her brothers. She was not expected to attain the throne. First, she was only a girl. Secondly, she was only the daughter of a concubine. Her mother wasn't married to the king so her daughter has no stake in rulership.

However, King Mabande cherished Njinga and lavished his attention on her. She attended council meetings with her father learning leadership skills that she used to establish her kingdom when she eventually became Queen.

Her father asked that she be trained alongside the boys to fight like a warrior. Njinga did not let him down. She showed fierceness and fighting skills that were formidable.

Nzinga was extremely clever even at a young age and this made her father love her even more. She observed her father closely and learned the intricacies of diplomacy, warfare, and governance at meetings she attended with him.

Her father was king at a time when the Portuguese were trying to expand their influence in Africa. They used religion as their reason for being on the rich vast lands but their true intent was to dominate the territories and become lords over the inhabitants. They had started establishing colonies and trade posts. The Portuguese made slaves of many Africans in the region.

This also happened in Ndongo where Njinga lived. She saw the pains and strains in her people's eyes and the conflicts they had to face as strangers invaded their lands trying to possess their heritages. They had to withstand the Portuguese as well as other enemies, one of which was their rival, the Imbangala. The Imbangala was a formidable nomadic society of warriors who joined the Portuguese to fight Ndongo. They intended to claim Ndongo's territories.

Njinga's father struggled to keep his house together but apart from Imbangala, other factors fought against his efforts. Treachery amongst prominent cabinet members were one of these factors. This was actually the cause of the untimely death of Mbande a Ngola. He was ambushed and brutally murdered by his men.

Ngola Mbande, Njinga's biological brother went on a political rampage killing quickly all his brothers and heads of the cabinets that would oppose him. He went further to kill Njinga's infant son and sterilized his sisters to stop them from bearing sons that would oppose his rule in the future.

After taking his place as King, Ngola Mbande began his wars against the Portuguese. The Portuguese were adamant in their quest to possess Ndongo. The increased violence expanded quickly their slave trades and markets.

Njinga was estranged and living in the kingdom of Matamba at the time of Ngola Mabande's succession to the throne. Ngola Mabande, seeing that a new governor of Portuguese had been appointed in Luanda, the then Portuguese capital of Ndongo, decided to use another tactic to suppress the pressing efforts of the colonialists.

He appointed his sister as ambassador in Lusanda.   Njinga, putting away her anger and rage,  took up the appointment. She knew it was her opportunity to attain her height and to make Ndongo a stronger force than the Portuguese had ever seen or anticipated.

She played her ambassadorial role well. She never allowed the Portuguese to intimidate her or make her feel so inferior she would succumb to their whims. She made sure they understood clearly that she was not a slave but an equal.

As annoying as her negotiating methods seemed, the Portuguese tried to be diplomatic with Njinga. At one time she agreed to be baptized as a Christian to signify that Ngola Mabande wanted peace but would not be paying tribute because he was a sovereign king and not a conquered king and a slave on his throne. The Portuguese had no choice but to accept her terms and conditions. She was so indispensable that her brother depended on her at every turn to give him advice on policies to be carried out in the land. He couldn't make decisions or take a step without consulting Njinga.

The Reign Of An Amazon

After Ngola Mabande died, Njinga became Queen in his stead. The Portuguese refused to recognize Njinga as the supreme leader of Ndongo. Knowing her skills as a political strategist would put her far above them, they tried to unseat her.

She caused a full rebellion. She and her people went to war against the Portuguese. She didn't sit in the palace strategizing her war plans while her troops fought on the battlefield. Njinga walked in front of her troops at the war front giving orders and fighting Portuguese soldiers like a true General.

She frustrated the Portuguese at every turn, especially in their slave trades and markets. She freed a lot of slaves sheltering them and bringing them under her protection when they joined her troops.

The slave trade in Ndongo stopped during the reign of Njinga. Despite the Portuguese weaponry that was more sophisticated than the spears and swords the Ndongo relied on, Njinga stirred her troops to keep on fighting.

She was bested at certain points on the war front by the fierceness and tenacity of the Portuguese but she tactically used her military strategizing skills to outwit them.

She married a powerful Imbangala warlord and with that alliance, she was better positioned to give Ndongo the freedom they sought. As the wife of Kasanje, she learned the rituals and ways of the Imbangala and rose to become a prominent leader of the Imbangala ranks. She owned her war camp and eventually used this influence to invade Matamba. She conquered it, establishing herself as queen.

As Queen of Matamba, she joined forces with the Dutch who had also come to Africa to possess the lands. The Dutch and Portuguese were at loggerhead at the time and she used this to her full advantage.

When her alliances with the Dutch came to an end, she made other plans. This time she used Christianity as a tool to fight the colonialists. She convinced the Pope of Rome to establish her as a bonafide Christian ruler. She built a church in Matamba. She performed Christian rituals, making Christianity the official religion of Ndongo and Matamba.

Her efforts paved ways to foster desires. She successfully made Ndongo a free independent nation free of the Portuguese and their influence.

The Queen Who Never Surrendered

Nzinga's story is a testament to resilience. Even in the face of adversity, she refused to surrender. Her determination and leadership were awe-inspiring, and she remained a symbol of hope for her people.

Legacy of Strength

Queen Nzinga's legacy is not just a story of bravery; it's a reminder that even in the most challenging circumstances, a determined heart can shape history. Her tale has inspired generations to stand strong in the face of oppression and fight for their freedom.

Join Us on the Adventure

The adventures of Queen Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba have only scratched the surface of the rich history of African warrior queens.

Get ready for more inspiring stories, history, and unforgettable heroines.