Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

History of Warrior African Queen Nzinga

Queen Nzinga Mbande was a military strategist and powerful 17th-century female African ruler of the 
Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms.

 Queen Nzinga is remembered in Angola for her war strategy and political intelligence

Queen Nzinga was one of the most women rulers of 17th century Africa fighting against the slave trade. Born in 1583, Queen Nzinga Mbande was the 17th-century queen of the Ndongo Kingdom and the newly established Matamba Kingdom.

In 1617, Mbandi Ngola Kiluanji, king of Ndongo, dies. His son, Ngola Mbandi, takes power and becomes the new king. However, he does not have his father's personality or his sister's military intelligence. 

Her brother King Ngola Mbande realized the Portuguese established a settlement in the same year invading Mbundu land in order to imprison its people into slavery.

In 1626, Princess Nzinga became Queen of the Mbundu succeeding her brother King Ngola Mbande. European slave traders on the coast of southern Africa upset the political, social, economic and cultural landscape of the kingdom Ndongo and the entire region. 

In the same year, the Matamba Kingdom was established after Queen Nzinga and her Mbundu citizens were forced from their ancestral lands by raiding Portuguese slave traders.

In the newly established Matamba Kingdom, Queen Nzinga established a Mocambo settlement offering sanctuary to runaway slaves and those who experienced oppression by the Portuguese, Dutch, and other colonial and African powers. Mocambo is a Mbundu word of the Bantu people living in Angola's North-West area; Mocambo means hideout.

A figure of the African resistance to colonialism, Queen Njinga marked the history of 17th century Angola. Outstanding and skilled strategist negotiator, she defended her country relentlessly until her death, in 1663, at the age of 82 years. 

However, before her death, Queen Nzinga converted to Christianity, adopted the name Dona Anna de Souza, and made the Matamba Kingdom a formidable military state that dealt with the Portuguese traders on an equal footing.

Queen Nzinga became a sensation in Europe following the 1769 publication of Jean Louis Castilhon’s book, Zingha, Reine d’Angola, in Paris. 

Queen Nzinga is remembered in Angola for her war strategy and political intelligence, a statue of her was placed in Kinaxixi square in the heart of Luanda Angola in Southern Africa in 2002. Queen Nzinga statue was dedicated by President Santos to celebrate the 27th anniversary of Angola’s independence.


Queen Nzinga is remembered in Angola for her political and diplomatic career

Chic African Culture The African Gourmet Logo

Wise African Proverb

Wise African Proverb

More Articles to Read from Chic African Culture

Show more

Week’s Best Posts and Pages

Dinka and Nuer Tribes of South Sudan

Image
Sudan was the largest country in Africa until 2011 when Sudan and South Sudan became two separate countries. The Dinka are one of the largest ethnic groups in the Republic of Sudan. Dinka and Nuer Tribes of Sudan Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture Whether Nuer or Dinka, traditionally the focus for Sudanese people has been a nomadic community, the small communities are made up of extended families based on lineage of male relatives and ancestors. The members of a lineage act in the group's interest, safeguarding territory or forming important ties with other families by marriage. Usually, a family leader is a respected elder. Overview of South Sudan Dinka and Nuer Tribes Sudan lies wholly within the tropics, and with the exception of the Sudd region in the south, and some hilly districts towards its western and eastern extremities, constitute one vast plain. The extreme north is Saharan in its heat and aridity, but below this, a central belt
Continue Reading

The Serenity Prayer translated into the 10 most popular African languages

Image
Prayer in Africa Serenity Prayer translated into the 10 most popular African languages Christianity Serenity Prayer in Africa Serenity Prayer is a popular verse in Africa. Christianity has deep roots in Africa and infuses itself into many sectors of African life. Serenity Prayer in Zulu, Swahili, Yoruba, French, Portuguese, English, Igbo, Arabic, Hausa and Afrikaans, Africa 10 most popular languages. The Serenity Prayer translated into the 10 most popular African languages Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture 7-16-2014 The Serenity Prayer is brilliant in its simplicity. Just as it is on every continent, there is passion and tension about religious life. There are thousands of languages spoken in Africa; over 2,000 in fact. The top 10 most spoken languages in Africa in order are; Arabic, Kiswahili (Swahili), Hausa, English, Amharic, French, Oromo, Yoruba, Igbo and Zulu. Below is the Serenity Prayer
Continue Reading

Chad Steamed Honey Cassava Buns

Image
Chadian Steamed Honey Cassava Buns African Recipes by African Gourmet   The Chadian steamed honey cassava bun recipe has as many variations as to the fillings and the preparations. Our recipe offers a tasty filling of sweet honey to compliment the delicate soft steamed buns. Prep time: 10 min Cook time: 25 min Total time: 35 min Ingredients 2 cups cassava flour ½ cup water ¼ cup honey ½ teaspoon salt Honey for drizzling Directions Mix together cassava flour, water, and salt. Knead until dough is formed then divide into 10 equal balls. Using your thumb make a deep indication in the center of each ball, fill with honey, and smooth the dough back over the filling. Place squares of parchment paper under each ball so the dough does not stick to the steamer, and steam in a bamboo steamer for 25 minutes. Drizzle with honey and serve warm as a snack, appetizer, or with a meal. Chad Food Recipes Chad's iconic steamed cassava buns are a tradition
Continue Reading

What is the difference between ugali and fufu

Image
How to make the popular African recipes Ugali and Fufu and what is the difference.  Ugali is a starch dish in Kenya and Tanzania made of fine cornmeal cooked in boiling water into a soft dough. Fufu is a thick, dough-like West African food made by boiling then pounding a starchy vegetable such as yam, plantain, or cassava or a mixture of starchy vegetables. The main difference between fufu and ugali is fufu is boiled first then pounded while ugali is simply boiled. Ugali recipe. Easy Ugali Recipe Prep time 5 minutes Cook time 30 minutes Total time 30 minutes Ingredients 4 cups finely ground cornmeal 8 cups water Directions Heat water to boiling in a saucepan. Slowly pour cornmeal into boiling water stirring continuously. Add more cornmeal if necessary until it is thick as soft bread dough. Serve immediately with vegetables, stew, or any dish you would use a spoon with to soak up the sauce, ugali is purposely bland tasting on its own. What is the difference between ugali and
Continue Reading