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Group: Bavaria, Carolingian Duchy of
People: Nzinga Mbande
Topic: Indian Wars in Upper North America
Location: Iringa Iringa Tanzania

Nzinga Mbande

queen of Ndongo and Matamba
Years: 1583 - 1663

Nzinga Mbande (c. 1583 – December 17, 1663), also known as Ana de Sousa Nzinga Mbande, is a 17th Century queen (muchino a muhatu) of the Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms of the Mbundu people in southwestern Africa.

She comes to power as an ambassador after demonstrating an ability to tactfully defuse foreign crises, as she regains control of the Portuguese fortress of Ambaca.

Being the sister of the king, Ngola (King) Mbande, she naturally has an influence on political decisions, when the king assigns her to represent him in peace negotiations with bordering countries.

Nzinga assumes control as regent of his young son, Kaza.

Today she is remembered in Angola for her political and diplomatic acumen, as well as her brilliant military tactics.

A major street in Luanda is named after her, and a statue of her is placed in Kinaxixi on a square in 2002, dedicated by President Edward Dos Santos to celebrate the twenty-seventh anniversary of independence.