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Afonso I

Type Figure Region Kingdom of Kongo Time c. 1456–1543 Also known as Nzinga Mvemba

Sixth Manikongo of Kongo (r. c. 1506–1543) and early Christian convert who promoted church schools and reform.

Timeline

  1. c. 1456–1506Mbanza Kongo · Kingdom of KongoSon of King Nzinga Ntinu, he served as governor of Nzinga province. After Portuguese missionaries arrived in 1491 he converted to Catholicism, taking the name Afonso, and became a pioneer of the kingdom's Christianization.
  2. 1506–1510Mbanza Kongo · Kingdom of KongoIn 1506 he defeated a half-brother to win the throne. From the start of his reign he promoted Christianity, founded schools in the capital, sent royal youths to study in Portugal, and began blending customary law with church teaching.
  3. 1511–1526Mbanza Kongo · Kingdom of KongoThe kingdom reached its height and exchanged envoys with Portugal. He sought to reform court life on Christian principles while corresponding repeatedly with the Portuguese king over the slave trade and territorial disputes, defending the kingdom's autonomy.
  4. 1527–1543Mbanza Kongo · Kingdom of KongoIn his later years he faced court intrigue and growing Portuguese colonial pressure, and his control over the slave trade weakened. He died in 1543 and was succeeded by his son Pedro, after which the kingdom slid into turmoil.

Sources