Two inland Mbundu states—Matamba and Kasanje—prosper as…

1540 CE to 1683 CE

Two inland Mbundu states—Matamba and Kasanje—prosper as Portugal becomes preoccupied with the Ndongo Kingdom as a source of slaves.

Little is known of Matamba before the seventeenth century, but in 1621 Nzinga (called Jinga by the Portuguese), the sister of the ngola a kiluanje,  persuades the Portuguese to recognize Ndongo as an independent monarchy and to help the kingdom expel the Imbangala people from its territory.

Three years later, according to some sources, Nzinga poisons her brother and succeeds him as monarch.

Unable to negotiate successfully with a series of Portuguese governors, however, she is eventually removed.

Nzinga and many of her followers travel east and forged alliances with several groups.

She finally ascends to the throne of the Matamba Kingdom.

From this eastern state, she pursues good relations with the Dutch during their occupation of the area from 1641 to 1648 and attempts to reconquer Ndongo.

After the Dutch expulsion, Nzinga again allies with the Portuguese.

A dynamic and wily ruler, Nzinga dominates Mbundu politics until she dies in 1663.

Although she dealt with the Europeans, in modern times Nzinga has been remembered by nationalists as an Angolan leader who never accepted Portuguese sovereignty.

After Nzinga's death, a succession struggle ensues, and the new ruler tries to reduce Portuguese influence.

Following their practice with the Ndongo, the Portuguese force him out and place their own candidate, Kanini, on the throne.

Kanini covets the nearby kingdom of Kasanje—peopled by Mbundu but ruled by Imbangala—for its role in the slave trade.

Once he has consolidated power, in 1680 Kanini successfully moves against Kasanje, which is undergoing a succession crisis of its own.

Kanini's defeat of the Kasanje state madkes his Portuguese benefactors realize that as his empire expands, Kanini is increasingly threatening their own slaving interests.

Subsequently, Kanini defeats a Portuguese military expedition sent against him, although he dies soon after.

In 1683 Portugal negotiates with the new Matamba queen to halt further attempts to conquer Kasanje territory and, because of mounting competition from other European powers, persuades her to trade exclusively with Portugal.

Locations
Pungo Andongo Malange Angola View →

People
Nzinga Mbande View →

Groups
Bantu peoples View → Kongo people View → Portuguese people View → Christians, Roman Catholic View → Ambundu View → Ovimbundu View → Portugal, Avizan (Joannine) Kingdom of View → Kongo, Kingdom of View → Portuguese Empire View → Ndongo, Kingdom of View → Matamba, Kingdom of View → Imbangala View → Angola (Portuguese colony) View → Kasanje, Kingdom of View →

Topics
Interaction with Subsaharan Africa, Early European View → Colonization of the Americas, Portuguese View →

Commodities
Slaves View →

Subjects
Commerce View → Faith View → Government View →

Regions

Subregions

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