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Netflix releases a new docuseries on African Queens Queen Njinga of Ndongo and Matamba—now present-day Angola—has just made her debut on Netflix’s new series African Queens released today, which will highlight the stories of prominent African female rulers.Read more... https://qz.com/netflix-releases-a-new-docuseries-on-african-queens-1850116840
#africanqueens#netflix#njinga3aqueenofangola#queennjinga#ngola#peresowino#nnenneiwuji eme#leaders#kingdomofmatamba#nzingaofndongoandmatamba#thewomanking#portugueseangola#kingdomofkongo#diambikabatusuila#kabatusuila#njinga#cleopatra#kingdomofndongo#continents#adesuwaoni#nutopia#africa#mekatililiwamenza#jadapinkettsmith#humaninterest#Priya Sippy#Quartz
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Godzilla Do Game Feat Dj Fiesta Junior x Dj Cuca Mix & Dj Flavio Ngola - Vou Ligar [2023 Baixar Mp3]
Já está disponível no Nilson News, a música nova de Godzilla Do Game Feat Dj Fiesta Junior x Dj Cuca Mix & Dj Flavio Ngola – Vou Ligar Baixar musica grátis, Download Mp3, Baixar free, download 2023. Faça Download e Desfrute de Boa Música.Download Mp3 – Baixar Musica Aqui
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Free Coloring Pages inspired by the warrior Queen Nzinga of Matamba & Ngola which is present day Angola 🇦🇴.
A PDF copy of these coloring sheets are available on my Gumroad page!
If you color any of my pages, please tag me. I would to see your creativity!
#freebies#free printable#black coloring pages#juneteenth coloring#juneteenth#black coloring books#black women#african#african history#angola#african america history#black history art#black tumblr#blacklivesmatter#black positivity#african queen#historical fashion#historical art#june 2024#juneteenth2024#gumroad#free coloring pages
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Portuguese Angola
Portuguese Angola in southwest Africa was the first European colony on that continent. While settlement from 1571 proved problematic in the interior, the Portuguese did obtain a large number of slaves which they shipped to their Atlantic island colonies and to Portuguese Brazil right up to the end of the Atlantic slave trade in the 19th century.
With the capital at Luanda on the coast, the Portuguese struggled against the kingdoms of Kongo, Ndongo, and Matamba to gain control of the interior. The Angolan Wars saw shifting tribal allegiances thwart the relatively small number of Afro-Portuguese, but help from Brazil, eager to maintain the flow of slaves, proved crucial. The decolonization process in the mid-20th century was one of the most bloody and shambolic in Africa, and civil war continued long after independence was gained in 1975.
The Portuguese in West Africa
The Portuguese arrived in West Africa, and from the late 15th century they began to explore further south. Following the Portuguese colonization of São Tomé and Principe in 1486, the Europeans were looking for slaves to work on their sugar plantations. The Portuguese settlers on São Tomé and Principe had already been in trade contact with the mainland, searching for gold, pepper, and ivory. The main trading partner was the Kingdom of Kongo (c. 1400 - c. 1700), which controlled a booming regional slave trade. Through the 16th century, slaves from Kongo (and also the Kingdom of Benin) were transported to the Portuguese islands and to their colonies in the North Atlantic like Madeira.
The Portuguese had bought African slaves with cotton cloth, silk, mirrors, knives, and glass beads, but they got the idea to launch their own slave-capturing expeditions in Africa’s interior and cut out the Kongolese middlemen. The Kongo kings were not pleased with this development, and they were increasingly alarmed at the effects of European culture and the Christian religion on their subjects. As relations soured, the Portuguese began to look for another trade partner further down the coast of Africa.
Exploring further south in the mid-16th century, the Europeans came into contact with a new kingdom, or rather a loose confederation of Kimbundu tribes, then known as Ndongo, probably formed c. 1500. Its ruler was called the Ngolo, which derives from the local word for iron - ngola - and from which the name Angola derives. The Portuguese attempted to create a new slave industry partnership with Ndongo and even involved the kingdom in a war with their northern neighbours, the Kingdom of Kongo. Ndongo had already defeated Kongo in a battle in 1556 and so seemed a good candidate to satisfy Portugal's ambitions in the region.
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Black History Month: Ngola Njinga of Ndongo
Njinga was born into the royal family of Ndongo (now Angola), in west Africa, in 1582.
From the age of twenty, Njinga led a group of rebels against the Portuguese invasion of the region. They were elected Ngola (ruler) in 1624, and described by Portuguese colonists as “the most powerful adversary that has ever existed in Africa”.
As a part of their fight with the Portuguese, Njinga allied with the Imbangala - nomadic groups feared for their raids on the local populace. Njinga modelled themself on the mythic Imbangala leader Tembo a Ndumbo. Tembo, like Njinga, was assigned female at birth, but underwent gruesome rituals to turn them into “a man, soldier and warrior”. Njinga did the same.
Njinga is now recognised as a national hero in Angola, and is commemorated with a statue (pictured) in the capital, Luanda. They are remembered by many communities of African descent around the world for fighting for their nation’s independence.
Learn more
[Image: statue of Njinga in Luanda, Angola]
#black history month#black history#african history#queer history#lgbt history#lgbtq#queer#gender#angola#njinga of ndongo#nzinga#njinga
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Happy TDOV!
For transgender day of visibility this year I wanted to share some of our articles about people who might fall under the large umbrella of transgender from history!
Dana de Milo
Karl M. Baer
Agniva Lahiri
Ngola Nzinga
Zinaida Gippius
Ferdinand Andreas Bruce
Social Men
Jackie Shane
Holly Woodlawn
Carmen Rupe
Claude Cahun
Victoria Arellano
Nandi Women-to-Women Marriages
Victor Barker
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Imbokodo #3 by Thabo Rametsi, Thabiso Mabanna and Katlego Motaung. Cover by Motaung. Out in January 2025.
"Lieutenant Manthatisi, the Nameless Warrior, and a team of Imboko join Chief Moshe and set sail for Thaba N'chu. With war on the horizon, and the land teeming with refugees, will they find answers to the missing girls? Are Emperor Mbande and the Ngola behind the carnage and kidnapping-or are there other forces at play?"
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The real Revolution is the Revolution (expansion, ascension) of Consciousness.
#Sagrada Ngola
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The entire African continent was an extremely civilized place by their own rich cultures, the time the first European travellers began discovering and later destroying her people and cultures.
“When they arrived in the Gulf of Guinea and landed at Vaida (in West Africa) the captains were astonished to find streets well laid out, bordered on either side for several leagues by two rows of trees; for days they travelled through a country of magnificent fields, inhabited by men clad in richly coloured garments of their own weaving! Further south in the Kingdom of the Congo, a swarming crowd dressed in `silk` and `velvet`; great States well-ordered, and down to the most minute details; powerful rulers, flourishing industries-civilized to the marrow of their bones. And the condition of the countries on the eastern coast- Mozambique, for example- was quite the same.”Leo Frobenius, `Histoire de la Civilisation Africaine`, quoted in Anna Melissa Graves, `Africa, the Wonder and the Glory,US, Black Classic Press, (originally 1942),pg4.
Portuguese missionaries wrote of the Kongo…” a well-organized political system with taxes and rates, there was a brilliant court,(and) a great civil service. The state constructed roads, imposed tolls, supported a large army and had a monetary system-of…shells, of which the Mani Congo…had a monopoly. The Congo Kingdom even had a few satellite states, for example the state of the Ngola (ie Ndongo) in present-day Angola. The original kingdom was about the size of France and Germany put together”.
“There is no doubting…the existence of an expert metallurgical art in the ancient Kongo; only the competition of objects from abroad and the slow deterioration brought about its decline. A further proof is provided by recent ethnographic documents. The Bakongo were aware of the toxicity of lead vapours. They devised preventative and curative methods, both pharmacological (massive doses of pawpaw and palm oil) and mechanical (exerting of pressure).
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Oeri trram rolun pxeioangtsyìpit alu "mouse/mawsì" nì'Ìnglisì oeyä kelkumì. Tsole'a nì'aw ioangtsyìpit a taryul rawngkxamlä alunta fwa pxeioangìl tolok fìtsengit loloho oeru. – Yesterday I found 3 mice in my home. I was very suprised to find so many since two nights ago I only saw one run in through the door.
Tolul kxamlä rawng a pumìri rilvängun fya'ot ahusan kxamlä kelkuä aykemyo, ha tsantxäl silvängi aylaru fte livang. Ayfol rolun fya'oti kuma tsantxängäl silvi ayeylanur. – Perhaps the one that got in found an opening in my house somewhere and called their friends to come, too, which means they may have left a trail (ugh).
Oe nolongspe' sì spole'e nì'i'a framawsì fa oeri mesokx a yolemstokx mehawntsokx kezemplltxe fte tìhawnu säpivi. (Aymawsìri txo 'ivampi fu frivìp fkeyä ta'lengit, tsakrr tsängun 'eykivefu fkoti spxin taluna mawsì tsun hivena txumnga'a ioangtsyìpit akusawngar alu nì'Ìnglìsì "virus"). Ha, aytìftia kìfkeyä mowar si fura fko tìhawnu si sì laro si fkori mesokx akrrmaw tìnusongspe'. – I caught all 3 of them with my hands (wearing gloves then washing my hands of course since mice can carry viruses so its advised to minimize direct contact w them in case they touch or bite you).
Pxemawsìri oel ngola' pxefoti mì tsawla sähena fte ftivanglen tìhusifwot fkeyä. Oel txopu soleyki pxefoti akum oel nerongspe' nìftxan letsaktap. Ha, oel yomtolìng ayrina'ti sì payti fte 'eykivefu maywey pxefoti. – I kept all of them in a tall plastic bin so they couldnt jump out. I probably scared them alot, so I fed them nuts and gave them a little water to calm 'em down.
Oe harmawl hawngkrr kä tìkangkemne tsarewon, ha ke lu krr oeru fpi lonu pxefoti. Krra oe hu hena a oel yolem pxefoti nemfa nì'i'a holum kelkuru ulte polähem tsengur atìkusangkemro, oeyä lefngap pa'limì olì'awn tsa'u.. – Since I had to work that morning and was running late, I didnt have time to find a place to release them, so i left the container with them in it in my car when i got to work.
Pxemawsìri lamu txantompa atxur slä oeti keftxo 'eykefu fula spawne'ea pxefo tok wrrpa hrh. Txantxompa slarmu meyp nìftxan kuma oeru lolu skom a tìsteftxaw si pxefeyä tìfkeytokur. Pxefori 'olefatsu mawey ulte yolom ayrina' a oel yolomtìng pxefoti. Siltsan. Henanemfa lolängu fahew aonvä' nìtxan hrh. – The weather outside was very stormy and i felt bad for them again, lol, so i waited until the rain let up to check on them. They seemed calm and were eating the nuts i gave them. Good. The container smelled tho lol.
Mawkrra tìkangkem soli, oel lolonu pxefoti pxaw tìkusätenga txayo alu "park" nì'Ìnglìsì, ulte pxefo holum nìfya'o spä . – After work, I released them in a nearby park and they hopped away.
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Lit. Translation - Regarding me, yesterday found two little animals called mouse English-ly my home in. [i] saw only 2 animals that were running [the] doorway through, so [the] 3 animals were being at here was suprising to me.
Ran through [the] door that one regarding [it], found [perhaps] a hiding path through my home's walls, so [perhaps] it invited [disparagement] their friends in order to explore. They found that path results that they [possibly] invited their friends [disparagement].
I pursued and captured every mouse and caught them by means of my hands which [they] doned two gloves in order to protect myself (regarding mice if [they] touch one's skin, [they] can cause one to feel [disparagement] sick because mice can [possibly] carry poisonous little animals exploiting called English-ly "viruses". So scientists advise that to protect one's hands then clean them after [the] pursuing).
Regarding [the] mice i contained the 3 of them in tall container in order to [possibly] prevent escaping their. I probably caused to be afriad them that result [from] pursuing them so violently. So i fed them seeds and water in order to make feel calm [to] the 3 of them.
I was preparing to go work toward too slowly that morning so was no time to me for the sake of releasing the 3. When [I] [the] container that i had put [the] three mice into finally left home with and arrived working place at, it remained inside my car.
Regarding the 3 mice, was rainstorm powerful outside but they 3 were safe and dry but made me feel worry the thing that they 3 were captured and outside lol. The storm weakened so there was opportunity to me to check the condition of emotions of 3 of theirs. Regarding the 3 [they] felt [apparently] calm and were eating seeds that i fed to them. Was [disparagement] so mice's odor inside container hrh.
After working, I released the 3 thems around [the] hanging out field that is "park" English-ly, and [the] 3 thems departed in a jumping way.
#all words in red are words/phrases im unsure abt#oel.mine#this al hapoened in january lol#this took forever#anyway look how cute they look#lì'fya lena'vi#na'vi#contains pic
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The melody of memory: the ancestral hymn that united two continents
In the summer of 1933, linguist Lorenzo Dow Turner (1890-1972) and musicologist Lydia Parish visited Amelia Dawley in Harris Neck, Georgia. This was a coastal community of Black landowners from the Gullah ethnic group. Turner recorded the song sung by Dawley, which the community had known for ages without understanding its meaning. This marked the beginning of a journey to their roots.
Origin of the Gullah Language
Turner was interested in Gullah culture, which had remained isolated from outsiders, especially white people. The Gullah people were descendants of slaves from plantations in South Carolina and Georgia, comprising individuals from the Mandingo, Bamana, Wolof, Fula, Temne, Mende, Vai, Akan, Ewe, Bakongo, and Kimbundu ethnic groups.
Turner hypothesized that their language was either an archaic or childlike form of English. To uncover this part of American linguistic history, which he would publish in "Africanisms in the Gullah Dialect," he first had to earn their trust. Through his research, he realized that Gullah had no trace of English and reasoned that it could have survived similarly to Pennsylvania Dutch, a dialect of German preserved through relative isolation. The study of their language indicated a common origin with the languages of Jamaica and Barbados, suggesting it originated from some part of West Africa. After years of studying their creole languages and African languages, he narrowed his search down to the Mende and Vai languages.
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Among the data he recorded, in chapter 9 of his book, he published Dawley's song, considered the longest known African language song in the United States. Its meaning was unknown, but in 1941, his Sierra Leonean student Solomon L. Caulker recognized the repetition of the term "kambei" ("grave") in the Mende language. Thanks to this revelation, Turner was able to publish a translation of the funeral song:
Ah wakuh muh monuh kambay yah lee luh lay tambay Ah wakuh muh monuh kambay yah lee luh lay kah. Ha suh wileego seehai yuh gbangah lilly Ha suh wileego dwelin duh kwen Ha suh wileego seehi uh kwendaiyah.
Come together, let's work hard; the grave is not yet finished; let its heart be perfectly at peace. Come together, let's work hard; the grave is not yet finished; let its heart be perfectly at peace. Sudden death commands everyone's attention, oh elders, oh heads of families. Sudden death commands everyone's attention, like a distant drumbeat.
Turner's works became reference materials, but general interest in the Gullah people experienced a pause. Anthropologist Joseph Opala, who had lived in Sierra Leone for years and studied the ruins of slave trading centers, was the one who revived the interest.He began with the records from the Ball plantation in South Carolina and the slave ship and auction records discovered in New York, which showed a complete trace from Africa to the present day. In his documentary Family Across the Sea (1989), he gathered Emory Campbell and several Gullah leaders for a trip to Sierra Leone.
The Return of the Funeral Hymn
However, although enthusiastic about the idea, Sierra Leone felt it was not enough. They needed clearer links. That's when they collaborated with ethnomusicologist Cynthia Schmidt to find the origin of Dawley's song. They searched the district where they estimated its most likely origin, but found no one who knew it. This changed in the periphery, in Senehun Ngola, where they found Bendu Jabati.
Bendu Jabati had heard this song sung by his grandmother, who told him it was sung in honor of the ancestors. It was a hymn sung at funerals, associated with a very important ceremony for the Mendé: the Tenjami ("Crossing the River"). Knowing that it was a cultural element that could be lost, his grandmother taught it to him, along with the movements to show her mourning. The custom was for the men to prepare the grave, while the women pounded the rice. It was performed on the third day of a woman's funeral or the fourth of a man's, symbolizing the bridge between the world of the living and the dead. Relatives spent the night and part of the next day at the burial site performing the final rites. After preparing and eating rice, participants completed the ritual by turning over an empty pot of rice, leaving it on the ground as a farewell. This ceremony disappeared after World War I, when soldiers recruited by the British Army introduced Islam and Christianity upon their return.
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The meeting took place in 1997 between Mary Moran (1921-2022), daughter of Amelia Dawley, and her family, with Bendu Jabati. They were welcomed by the president of Sierra Leone in Freetown and taken to Senehun Ngola, where they met Bendu Jabati. By that time, they had the full text of the song provided by Sierra Leonean linguist Tazieff Koroma and translated by him, Edward Benya and Opala. In Sierra Leone, the song was slightly different, possibly because of the development of the language over the intervening centuries. When Mary Moran and Bendu Jabati met, it proved that this hymn had survived another generation. This encounter was shown in the documentary The Language You Cry (1998).
A wa kaka, mu mohne; kambei ya le'i; lii i lei tambee. A wa kaka, mu mohne; kambei ya le'i; lii i lei ka. So ha a guli wohloh, i sihan; yey kpanggaa a lolohhu lee. So ha a guli wohloh; ndi lei; ndi let, kaka. So ha a guli wohloh, i sihan; kuhan ma wo ndayia ley.
Come quickly, let us work hard; the tomb is not yet finished; his heart has not yet grown cold. Come quickly, let us work hard; the tomb is not yet finished; let his heart be cool now. Sudden death cuts down the trees, borrows them; the remains slowly disappear. Sudden death cuts down the trees; let it be satisfied, let it be satisfied, at once. Sudden death cuts down the trees, borrows them; a voice speaks from afar.
Recognizing a Slave Girl
In Sierra Leone, however, they wanted an even more concrete connection: the name of a slave who had left their homeland. Despite the difficulty of the task, Opala found in the Martin family papers the name of Priscilla, a girl who was taken from Sierra Leone to Charleston in 1756. Although it is unknown exactly how she was obtained, contemporary records speak of abductions by other Africans, especially from enemy kingdoms, such as the Fula, Mandingo or Susu. They were kidnapped, prisoners of war, people convicted of crimes or sold to pay debts. In exchange, the British offered them guns, gunpowder, clothes, rum, metal goods and various trinkets. Of the 40 British slave castles or fortified trading posts in Sierra Leone, he would have passed through Bunce Island, the largest and only major castle on the Rice Coast. She would have come from the interior to the coast walking naked or with rags and bound hands. Before traveling by sea, she would have been branded and auctioned off. After surviving the rough voyage across the Atlantic on the ship Hare, she would have stayed 10 days in quarantine, being one of the few people in good condition, and then put to work in a rice field. Although the Hare was a British ship owned by the London owners of Bunce Island, New-York Historical Society records said it was an American slave ship owned by Samuel and William Vernon, two of the wealthiest merchants in colonial Rhode Island, sailing from Newport, Rhode Island.
In America, Priscilla would have fallen in love a decade later with the slave Jeffrey, with whom in 1770 she had three children and, in 1811, after his death, about 30 grandchildren. Her descendants continued to work on the plantation until early 1865, when the plantation was taken over by the Federals. Henry, one of his freed descendants, took the surname Martin and had ten children with Anna Cruz. Of these, roofer Peter Henry Jr. was born in 1886 and had Thomas P. Martin in 1933. At the time of the investigation, he was to have been the one to make the trip, but he died and was replaced by his daughter Thomalind Martin Polite, a 31-year-old speech pathologist at a primary school. Their reunion in Sierra Leone was shared in the documentary Priscilla's homecoming (2005).
In conclusion, although slavery attempted to erase the identity of its victims, they have the power to preserve the customs that connect them to their roots through the centuries. The song itself bridged the gap between the two shores, reuniting through their descendants those who had been separated.
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In 1997 Amelia’s daughter, Mary Moran, and other members of the Moran family were invited to Sierra Leone, West Africa, where they were welcomed in Freetown by Sierra Leone’s President and then flown by helicopter to the country’s interior. There, in the small village of Senehun Ngola, Mary and Bendu Jabati met and sang this song together for the first time. Years earlier, Bendu’s grandmother had told her that this song, which had been passed down in her village from mother to daughter for centuries, would one day reunite her to long-lost relatives.
In addition to finding out where in Africa her ancestors were abducted into slavery, Mary Moran discovered the meaning of the Mende song: a processional hymn for the final farewell to the spirit, it was sung in Senehun Ngola by women as they prepared the body of a loved one for burial.
(The OP's link leads to a site with a recording of the song sung by both Mary Moran and her mother, Amelia)
TIL a family in Georgia claimed to have passed down a song in an unknown language from the time of their enslavement; scientists identified the song as a genuine West African funeral song in the Mende language that had survived multiple transmissions from mother to daughter over multiple centuries (x)
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Part Two of Queen Nzinga - Historical Story time
This Coloring Page was inspired by the 17th century warrior Queen Nzinga of Matamba & Ngola which is present day Angola 🇦🇴.
Let me know which historical figure I should do next. And don’t forget to share a little history with friends!
The coloring pages are available for free on my socials! Enjoy!
#angola#african fashion#african art#african queen#african history#juneteenth2024#juneteenth#black coloring pages#black history art#timelapse#timelapse art#educational coloring#unique coloring page#historical fashion#illustrations#black queen#story time#story telling#history lesson#history lover#coloringtherapy#african ancestry
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In 1482, when the Portuguese first landed in what is now northern Angola, they encountered the Kingdom of the Kongo, which stretched from modern Gabon in the north to the Kwanza River in the south. Mbanza Kongo, the capital, had a population of 50,000 people. South of this kingdom were various important states, of which the Kingdom of Ndongo, ruled by the ngola (king), was most significant. Modern Angola derives its name from the king of Ndongo. The Portuguese gradually took control of the coastal strip throughout the 16th century by a series of treaties and wars. The Dutch occupied Luanda fro…
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Queen Nzinga: The Fierce Diplomat and Warrior of Angola
Abstract
Queen Nzinga (1583–1663) is an iconic figure in African history, renowned for her fierce resistance against Portuguese colonialism in Angola. As the queen of the Ndongo and Matamba kingdoms, Nzinga employed diplomacy, military strategy, and cunning negotiation skills to fight for her people's autonomy. Her legacy as a leader, diplomat, and warrior has made her a symbol of resistance and empowerment, not only in Angola but across the African continent and the diaspora.
This article delves into Nzinga's life, her strategies in the fight against colonialism, and her enduring legacy in contemporary discussions of leadership, gender, and colonial resistance. Through her actions, Queen Nzinga exemplifies the complexities of resistance and the role of women in the fight for freedom and dignity. ✊🏿🌍 #QueenNzinga #AfricanHistory #ColonialResistance
Introduction: The Context of Colonial Angola
During the late 16th and early 17th centuries, Portuguese colonial ambitions expanded into Central Africa, particularly in present-day Angola. The Portuguese sought to exploit the region’s resources and establish control over trade routes. This colonial expansion led to the subjugation of various African kingdoms, including the Ndongo and Matamba, which were home to powerful leaders and rich cultures.
Queen Nzinga emerged as a formidable opponent to this colonial onslaught. Born into the royal family of Ndongo, her lineage provided her with a strong foundation for leadership. As a member of the Mbundu people, she witnessed firsthand the impacts of colonial violence and enslavement, which shaped her resolve to resist Portuguese encroachment. 🌍⚔️ #ColonialHistory #Angola
Nzinga’s Early Life and Rise to Power
Nzinga was born around 1583 in the Kingdom of Ndongo. Historical accounts indicate that she was educated in the ways of governance, warfare, and diplomacy from a young age. She was known for her intelligence, strength, and charisma, qualities that would later define her reign.
Upon the death of her brother, King Ngola Mbandi, Nzinga assumed the throne in 1624. Her ascension was not without challenges, as she faced opposition from within the royal court and external threats from Portuguese forces. Nzinga's determination to secure her kingdom’s independence and her people’s dignity became her guiding principles. 💪🏿👑 #WomenInLeadership #AngolanHistory
The Diplomatic Warrior
One of Nzinga’s most significant contributions to her people was her adeptness at diplomacy. Understanding the necessity of forming alliances, she engaged in negotiations with the Portuguese to secure favorable terms for her kingdom. Nzinga famously traveled to Luanda in 1622 to meet with the Portuguese governor, where she demonstrated her political acumen by dressing in a manner that challenged gender norms.
During the meeting, she reportedly refused to sit on the floor as expected, instead insisting on a chair to assert her status as a queen. This encounter highlighted her strength as a negotiator and her refusal to be marginalized. Through diplomacy, she sought to delay the Portuguese advance while she strengthened her military capabilities. 🇦🇴🤝 #Diplomacy #Courage
Military Strategies Against Portuguese Colonialism
While Nzinga excelled in diplomacy, she also proved to be a brilliant military strategist. After negotiations with the Portuguese failed to yield satisfactory outcomes, she took up arms to defend her kingdom. Nzinga mobilized her forces and organized a series of military campaigns against the Portuguese.
Her strategies included guerrilla warfare, utilizing the element of surprise, and employing local knowledge of the terrain. Nzinga's forces were known for their tenacity, and her ability to inspire loyalty among her troops was a testament to her leadership. Under her command, the Ndongo and Matamba armies engaged in several battles, achieving notable victories against the Portuguese. ⚔️🌿 #GuerrillaWarfare #WarriorQueen
Alliances and Resistance
Nzinga recognized the importance of forging alliances to strengthen her resistance against the Portuguese. She formed strategic partnerships with neighboring tribes and kingdoms, including the Imbangala warriors, known for their formidable fighting skills. These alliances were crucial in bolstering her military strength and expanding her influence in the region.
Nzinga's resistance against colonial forces was not merely a military endeavor; it was also a cultural one. She sought to unify her people against a common enemy, fostering a sense of identity and resilience among the Ndongo and Matamba. Her leadership became synonymous with the struggle for freedom and autonomy, inspiring generations to come. 🌍🤝 #Alliances #CulturalResistance
Nzinga’s Legacy and Symbolism
Queen Nzinga’s legacy transcends her historical context, making her a symbol of resistance and empowerment for women and marginalized communities. Her defiance against colonialism and her innovative leadership style have inspired movements for social justice and equity both in Africa and the global diaspora.
Nzinga is often cited in discussions about feminism and African leadership. Her life story exemplifies the complexities of gender, power, and resistance, challenging traditional narratives that often overlook the contributions of women in history. In contemporary African politics, her legacy continues to resonate, encouraging women to engage in leadership and advocacy. 👩🏿🎤🌟 #Feminism #WomenInHistory
Cultural Representations of Nzinga
Nzinga’s story has been preserved in various cultural forms, including literature, theater, and music. Her legacy is celebrated through festivals and public commemorations, ensuring that her contributions to the fight for independence are not forgotten.
In Angola, Queen Nzinga is honored as a national hero, and her image is often used in political discourse surrounding issues of sovereignty, identity, and social justice. The narrative of Nzinga has been retold in novels and films, reinforcing her status as a cultural icon. These representations serve as a reminder of the ongoing struggles against colonial legacies and the importance of honoring historical figures who fought for freedom. 🎭📚 #CulturalIcon #Heroine
Conclusion: The Enduring Spirit of Queen Nzinga
Queen Nzinga’s life and legacy exemplify the fierce spirit of resistance that characterizes the African struggle against colonialism. Her ability to navigate the complex interplay of diplomacy and warfare, coupled with her commitment to her people's autonomy, has solidified her status as a legendary figure in history.
Nzinga’s story encourages us to reflect on the ongoing fight for freedom and justice in various contexts around the world. As we honor her legacy, we are reminded of the vital role women play in leadership, advocacy, and resistance. Queen Nzinga remains an enduring symbol of empowerment and resilience, inspiring future generations to stand firm against oppression and pursue justice. 🌍✊🏿 #QueenNzinga #LegacyOfResistance
References
M’bogo, M. (2004). Queen Nzinga: The Woman Who Defied the Portuguese. The African Diaspora Press.
Ramos, J. (1990). The Angolan Resistance and the Legacy of Queen Nzinga. Journal of Southern African Studies, 16(3), 453-468.
Silva, A. A. (2013). Nzinga of Angola: A Historical Perspective. African Studies Quarterly, 15(2), 47-67.
Houghton, H. (2009). "Nzinga, Queen of Angola: A Study of Colonial Resistance." International Journal of African Historical Studies, 42(1), 39-61.
Vail, L. J., & White, L. (1989). Power and Resistance in an African Society: The Case of the Ndongo Kingdom, 1550–1750. Journal of African History, 30(2), 203-223.
Roberts, A. (1999). Revolutionary Women: Gender and the Politics of Resistance in Africa. Feminist Review, 61, 78-97.
Adebanwi, W. (2017). Queen Nzinga: A Model of Leadership for Women in Africa Today. African Studies Review, 60(2), 1-12.
Lihamba, A. (2009). "Queen Nzinga: Gender and Politics in Angola." Journal of Southern African Studies, 35(2), 325-343.
Further Research and Exploration
For readers interested in further exploring Queen Nzinga’s legacy and impact, consider investigating the following topics:
Women in African Leadership: Examine the roles of other female leaders in Africa who resisted colonialism and how their stories intersect with Nzinga’s.
Colonial Legacies in Africa: Explore the ongoing effects of colonialism in Angola and other African nations, drawing connections to Nzinga’s resistance.
Cultural Narratives and Representation: Analyze how cultural narratives about Queen Nzinga have evolved over time and their implications for contemporary social movements.
Gender and Resistance: Investigate the role of gender in resistance movements across the African continent, highlighting the contributions of women.
Modern Political Contexts: Explore how Queen Nzinga’s legacy influences contemporary discussions about leadership, empowerment, and social justice in Angola and beyond.
Conclusion
Queen Nzinga’s indomitable spirit of resistance continues to inspire individuals and movements around the world. Her life story is a testament to the power of courage, diplomacy, and strategic leadership in the face of oppression. As we celebrate her legacy, we are reminded of the importance of standing up for justice, equity, and the dignity of all people. 🌍✊🏿 #NzingaLives #Empowerment
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