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Nzinga a Nkuwu

Type Figure Region Central Africa Time c. 1456–1506 Also known as João I (Kongo)、Nzinga a Nkuwu

Manikongo (supreme ruler) of the Kingdom of Kongo, reigning from around 1470 to 1506.…

Timeline

  1. c. 1470–1483Mbanza Kongo · Kingdom of KongoHe inherited the Kongo throne, maintaining a balance between central royal authority and local chiefs, and ruled the vast farming and trading societies of the western Congo Basin.
  2. 1483–1490Mbanza Kongo · Kingdom of KongoIn 1483 Diogo Cão's expedition reached the mouth of the Congo River and penetrated inland; Nzinga a Nkuwu established diplomatic contact with Portugal, exchanging envoys and conducting trade.
  3. 1491–1500Mbanza Kongo · Kingdom of KongoIn 1491 he received Catholic baptism and took the name João, allowing missionaries to operate in the royal capital; some royal family members were also baptized, but his own attitude toward Christianity wavered, and late in life he leaned toward returning to traditional beliefs.
  4. 1500–1506Mbanza Kongo · Kingdom of KongoLate in life he restricted missionary activity, died in 1506, and his son Mvemba Nzinga (later Afonso I) prevailed in the succession struggle and took the throne.

Sources