Nzingha was a queen and skilled warrior who ruled Matamba and Ndongo. Matamba ( today known as Angola) was under threat from Portuguese invaders. Even at the time of her birth they had gradually established trading settlements. Nzinga faced challenges early on in life. Her father was deposed and her half-brother Mbandi drove her into exile. Nizinga's son was then murdered to stop any possible challenge to his rule. However King Mbandi needed her skills to combat Portuguese aggression. Her brother attempted negotiation by sending Nzingha to meet with the viceroy in 1622. The result of the agreements were the release of Portuguese prisoners and the recognition of Ndongo's territorial integrity. Mbandi was inept and unable to control the political crisis that was destroying Ndongo. Nzingha realized if the kingdom was to be saved she would have to take over.
Mbandi was slowly losing support within the kingdom. Mbandi wanted to start another process of negotiation, but the Portuguese had no intention of making peace. Nzingha now had a chance to reverse the situation. She realized strong alliances were needed to confront powerful enemies. Nzingha made an alliance with the Jaga people and organized her supporters against Mbandi. He was overthrown and killed. Now, Nzingha had control of the Ndongo kingdom.She began to implement new policies. Polygamy was restricted and the penal code revised. Nzingha would convert to Christianity and encouraged her kingdom to do the same. This sudden acceptance of Christianity had a political motive. It could have been a way to unify Ndongo through a common ideology. Another purpose was to use it as diplomatic leverage against the Portuguese. The reasoning behind this was that they would be unwilling to attack other Christians . This did not work and in 1629 conflict erupted. She had to flee and restrategize. This time she formed her own kingdom Matamba and built an even stronger army. Nzingha then developed alliances with the Kongo people and the Dutch to counter Portuguese expansion. She waged a long war from 1639 to 1648 forcing the Portuguese to their coastal fortifications. She would personally lead her troops into battle. Her armies consisted of both women, men, and some Jaga slaves that were promised freedom. Her goal was to expel the Portuguese permanently from the region. This was not entirely possible and she eventually accepted peace in 1656.
The Portuguese did not get what they wanted in the peace terms. Nzingha never allowed her kingdom to pay tribute or recognize the Portuguese viceroy as ruler. She was too powerful a leader to overcome. Even though her alliances with the Kongo and Dutch collapsed, Matamba could not be conquered. When she died in 1663 the Portuguese were able to fully colonize the region. She was a true hero in every sense of the word.
Mbandi was slowly losing support within the kingdom. Mbandi wanted to start another process of negotiation, but the Portuguese had no intention of making peace. Nzingha now had a chance to reverse the situation. She realized strong alliances were needed to confront powerful enemies. Nzingha made an alliance with the Jaga people and organized her supporters against Mbandi. He was overthrown and killed. Now, Nzingha had control of the Ndongo kingdom.She began to implement new policies. Polygamy was restricted and the penal code revised. Nzingha would convert to Christianity and encouraged her kingdom to do the same. This sudden acceptance of Christianity had a political motive. It could have been a way to unify Ndongo through a common ideology. Another purpose was to use it as diplomatic leverage against the Portuguese. The reasoning behind this was that they would be unwilling to attack other Christians . This did not work and in 1629 conflict erupted. She had to flee and restrategize. This time she formed her own kingdom Matamba and built an even stronger army. Nzingha then developed alliances with the Kongo people and the Dutch to counter Portuguese expansion. She waged a long war from 1639 to 1648 forcing the Portuguese to their coastal fortifications. She would personally lead her troops into battle. Her armies consisted of both women, men, and some Jaga slaves that were promised freedom. Her goal was to expel the Portuguese permanently from the region. This was not entirely possible and she eventually accepted peace in 1656.
The Portuguese did not get what they wanted in the peace terms. Nzingha never allowed her kingdom to pay tribute or recognize the Portuguese viceroy as ruler. She was too powerful a leader to overcome. Even though her alliances with the Kongo and Dutch collapsed, Matamba could not be conquered. When she died in 1663 the Portuguese were able to fully colonize the region. She was a true hero in every sense of the word.
Further Reading
Rogers, Julius. World's Great Men of Color . New York: Simon and Schuster, 1996.
Appiah, Kwame and Gates, Henry. “Nzingha”. Africana Encyclopedia.
New York :Perseus Books Group,1999.1452.
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