List of rulers of Kongo

This is a list of the rulers of the Kingdom of Kongo known commonly as the Manikongos (KiKongo: Mwenekongo). In the KiKongo language, provinces were known as "wene". The lords of these wene were known as Mwene (plural: Awene). The lord of Kongo was the most powerful mwene in the region and recognized as the "ntinu" king of the region by the Portuguese upon their arrival in 1483.

Kandas, Gerações and Houses

Governance in Kongo was based primarily upon the kanda. [Hilton, Anne: "Family and Kinship among the Kongo South of the Zaire River from the Sixteenth to the Nineteenth Centuries", page 194. The Journal of African History, Vol. 24, No. 2, 1983] Each kanda (plural: "makanda") was a faction based upon kingroup or affiliation. [Thornton, John: "Elite Women in the Kingdom of Kongo: Historical Perspectives on Women's Political Power", page 439. The Journal of African History, Vol. 47, 2006] Kandas generally took the name of a person (ie. Nimi, Nlaza or Mpanzu), but could also take the name of an occupation (Mbala [Thornton, John: "Elite Women in the Kingdom of Kongo: Historical Perspectives on Women's Political Power", page 445. The Journal of African History, Vol. 47, 2006] ) or birthplace (Kwilu or Nsundi [Thornton, John: "Elite Women in the Kingdom of Kongo: Historical Perspectives on Women's Political Power", page 449. The Journal of African History, Vol. 47, 2006] ). The KiKongo prefix "ki" is added onto these names to mean "people with something in common". [Thornton, John: "Elite Women in the Kingdom of Kongo: Historical Perspectives on Women's Political Power", page 445. The Journal of African History, Vol. 47, 2006] These factions were recorded as "gerações" or "casas" (lineages or houses) in Kongo documents written in Portuguese. Until the mid-seventeenth century, following the Battle of Mbwila, these factions were short lived and fluctuating, but following the battle, factions were much firmer and lasted for generations, particularly the Kimpanzu and Kinlaza. [Thornton, John: "Elite Women in the Kingdom of Kongo: Historical Perspectives on Women's Political Power", page 449. The Journal of African History, Vol. 47, 2006]

Dynasties

When the Portuguese arrived in Kongo in 1483, [Oliver, Roland and Anthony Atmore: "Medieval Africa, 1250-1800", page 168. Cambridge University Press, 2001] the reigning king represented the Nimi kanda. [Thornton, John: "Elite Women in the Kingdom of Kongo: Historical Perspectives on Women's Political Power", page 445. The Journal of African History, Vol. 47, 2006] This kanda was probably descended from Nimi a Nzima, father of the founder of Kongo. [Thornton, John: "Elite Women in the Kingdom of Kongo: Historical Perspectives on Women's Political Power", page 445. The Journal of African History, Vol. 47, 2006] Divisions emerged within the kanda during succession disputes to form factions within factions, [Thornton, John: "Elite Women in the Kingdom of Kongo: Historical Perspectives on Women's Political Power", page 445. The Journal of African History, Vol. 47, 2006] but the dynasty remained the same until the reign of Álvaro I. [Battell, Andrew and Samuel Purchas: The Strange Adventures of Andrew Battell of Leigh, in Angola and the Adjoining Regions", page 119. The Hakluyt Society, 1901]

King Álvaro I was the first manikongo of the House of Kwilu (Portuguese: "Coulo"). This kanda or lineage was named for the birthplace of Alvaro, [Thornton, John: "Elite Women in the Kingdom of Kongo: Historical Perspectives on Women's Political Power", page XX. The Journal of African History, Vol. 47, 2006] north of the capital city. The Kwilu would reign virtually uninterrupted until King Álvaro III died while his heir was too young to take the throne.

Another kanda, that of the Kinkanga a Mvika, took control of Kongo in 1622. [Thornton, John K: "The Kongolese Saint Anthonty: Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita and the Antonian Movement, 1684-1706", page 38. Cambridge University, 1998] This kanda, also known as the House of Nsundi, [Thornton, John: "Elite Women in the Kingdom of Kongo: Historical Perspectives on Women's Political Power", page 449. The Journal of African History, Vol. 47, 2006] reigned until the House of Kwilu returned to power under Ambrosio I. [Thornton, John: "Elite Women in the Kingdom of Kongo: Historical Perspectives on Women's Political Power", page 450. The Journal of African History, Vol. 47, 2006]

After Ambrosio's death in 1631, [Thornton, John: "Elite Women in the Kingdom of Kongo: Historical Perspectives on Women's Political Power", page 450. The Journal of African History, Vol. 47, 2006] the Mpanzu kanda came to power. The House of Kimpanzu was also short-lived and overthrown by two brothers of the Nlaza kanda in 1636. [Thornton, John K: "The Kongolese Saint Anthonty: Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita and the Antonian Movement, 1684-1706", page 39. Cambridge University, 1998] The members of the House of Nsundi were all killed or absorbed into the Kinlaza by 1657. [Thornton, John K: "The Kongolese Saint Anthonty: Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita and the Antonian Movement, 1684-1706", page 39. Cambridge University, 1998] The Kinlaza dynasty would reign until Kongo's catastrophic civil war following the 1665 Battle of Mbwila, when sporadic and violent alternation followed.

The capital was destroyed in 1678. [Thornton, John K: "The Kongolese Saint Anthonty: Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita and the Antonian Movement, 1684-1706", page 23. Cambridge University, 1998] Its destruction forced the claimants from both sides of the conflict to rule from mountain fortresses. The Kinlaza retreated to Mbula where they founded the capital of Lemba. [Thornton, John K: "The Kongolese Saint Anthonty: Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita and the Antonian Movement, 1684-1706", page 39. Cambridge University, 1998] Earlier another branch of Kinlaza, under the leadership of Garcia III of Kongo founded a settlement at Kibangu. The Kimpanzu based their struggle for the throne at Mbamba Luvota in the south of Soyo. [Thornton, John K: "The Kongolese Saint Anthonty: Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita and the Antonian Movement, 1684-1706", page 39. Cambridge University, 1998] A new faction appeared in the form of the Agua Rosada kanda, headquarteredd at the mountain fortress of Kibangu. This might be considered a new house formed from both the Kinlaza and Kimpanzu, its founders were the children of a Kimpanzu father and a Kinlaza mother. [Thornton, John K: "The Kongolese Saint Anthonty: Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita and the Antonian Movement, 1684-1706", page 40. Cambridge University, 1998] All parties claimed kingship over Kongo (or what was left of it), but their power rarely spread outside their fortresses or the immediate surrounding area.

The country was finally reunited by Pedro IV of the Agua Rosada kanda. Pedro IV declared a doctrine of shared power by which the throne would shift (in due time) from Kinlaza to the Kimpanzu and back. [Thornton, John: "Elite Women in the Kingdom of Kongo: Historical Perspectives on Women's Political Power", page 455. The Journal of African History, Vol. 47, 2006] , while the Agua Rosada appear to have continued as neutral in Pedro's fortress of Kibangu. [Thornton, John K: "The Kongolese Saint Anthonty: Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita and the Antonian Movement, 1684-1706", page 201. Cambridge University, 1998]

The system functioned sporadically, with considerable fighting, until 1764 when Jose I of the Kinlaza faction usurped the throne and thrust the country back into civil war. The Kinlaza enjoyed a short lived second dynasty that ended in 1788. After that, the throne moved through various royal hands until the kingship was extinguished in 1914.

Elections

The selection of kings of Kongo was by a variety of principles, as kings themselves evoked different methods of selection in their letters announcing their succession. Typically the kingdom was said to pass by election, [Thornton, John: "Elite Women in the Kingdom of Kongo: Historical Perspectives on Women's Political Power", page 439. The Journal of African History, Vol. 47, 2006] though the electors and the process they used changed over time and according to circumstances. Frequently election seems to have been a combination of elective and hereditary principals. [Thornton, John: "Elite Women in the Kingdom of Kongo: Historical Perspectives on Women's Political Power", page 439. The Journal of African History, Vol. 47, 2006]

Kings of Kongo

The following section is divided into periods based on kanda or house rulership. Most houses reigned of a distinct period with few if any intervals. This is not the case, however; after the Kongo Civil War. During this period you will note the name of each king's kanda alongside their reign.

Early Awenekongo

* Lukeni lua Nimi
* Nanga of Kongo
* Nlaza of Kongo
* Nkuwu a Ntinu of Kongo (or Nkuwu a Lukeni; ruled c.1450-c.1470)
* João I Nzinga a Nkuwu (ruled c. 1470–1509; baptized as João I May 3, 1491)
* Afonso I Mvemba a Nzinga (ruled 1509–42)
* Pedro I Nkanga a Mvemba of the House of Kibala [Thornton, John: "Elite Women in the Kingdom of Kongo: Historical Perspectives on Women's Political Power", page 445. The Journal of African History, Vol. 47, 2006] (ruled 1542–45)
* Diogo I Nkumbi a Mpudi (ruled 1545–61)
* Afonso II Mpemba a Nzinga (ruled 1561)
* Bernardo I of Kongo (ruled 1561–66)
* Henrique I Nerika a Mpudi (ruled 1567–68)

Awenekongo of the Kwilu kanda

* Álvaro I Nimi a Lukeni lua Mvemba (ruled 1568–March 1587)
* Álvaro II Nimi a Nkanga (ruled March 1587–9 August 1614)
* Bernardo II Nimi a Nkanga (ruled 12 August 1614 – August 1615)
* Álvaro III Nimi a Mpanzu (ruled August 1615–4 May 1622)

Awenekongo of the Nkanga a Mvika kanda

* Pedro II Nkanga a Mvika (ruled 26 May 1622–3 April 1624)
* Garcia I Mvemba a Nkanga (ruled 27 April 1624 – March 1626)

Mwenekongo of the Kwilu kanda

* Ambrósio I Nimi a Nkanga (ruled March 1626–7 March 1631)
* Álvaro IV Nzinga a Nkuwu (ruled 8 February 1631–24 February 1636)

Awenekongo of the Mpanzu kanda

* Álvaro V Mpanzu a Nimi (ruled 27 February 1636–14 August 1636)

Awenekongo of the Nlaza kanda

* Álvaro VI Nimi a Lukeni a Nzenze a Ntumba (ruled 27 August 1636–22 February 1641)
* Garcia II Nkanga a Lukeni a Nzenze a Ntumba (ruled 23 February 1641 – end of 1660)
* António I Nvita a Nkanga (ruled start of 1661–29 October 1665)

Awenekongo during the Civil War

* Afonso II of Kongo and Nkondo of the House of Kimpanzu (ruled November – December 1665)
* Álvaro VII Tusi Mumaza of the House of Kimpanzu [Thornton, John K: "The Kongolese Saint Anthonty: Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita and the Antonian Movement, 1684-1706", page 51. Cambridge University, 1998] (ruled December 1665 – June 1666)
* Álvaro VIII Mvemba a Mpanzu of the House of Kinlaza [Thornton, John K: "The Kongolese Saint Anthonty: Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita and the Antonian Movement, 1684-1706", page 59. Cambridge University, 1998] (ruled June 1666 – January 1669)
* Pedro III Nsimba Ntamba of the House of Kinlaza [Thornton, John K: "The Kongolese Saint Anthonty: Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita and the Antonian Movement, 1684-1706", page 79. Cambridge University, 1998] (ruled January – June 1669)
* Álvaro IX Mpanzu a Ntivila of the House of Kimpanzu (ruled June 1669 – end of 1670)
* Rafael I Nzinga a Nkanga of the House of Kinlaza [Thornton, John: "Elite Women in the Kingdom of Kongo: Historical Perspectives on Women's Political Power", page 456. The Journal of African History, Vol. 47, 2006] (ruled end 1670 – mid 1673)
* Afonso III Mvemba a Nimi of the House of Kimpanzu (ruled mid 1673–mid 1674)
* Daniel I Miala mia Nzimbwila of the House of Kimpanzu [Thornton, John K: "The Kongolese Saint Anthonty: Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita and the Antonian Movement, 1684-1706", page 79. Cambridge University, 1998] (ruled mid 1674 – mid 1678)

Awenekongo of Kibangu

* Garcia III Nkanga a Mvemba (ruled end 1669 – start 1685)
* André I Mvizi a Nkanga (ruled 1685)
* Manuel Afonso Nzinga a Elenke of the House of Kimpanzu [Thornton, John K: "The Kongolese Saint Anthonty: Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita and the Antonian Movement, 1684-1706", page 39. Cambridge University, 1998] (ruled 1685–1688)
* Álvaro X Nimi a Mvemba Agua Rosada of the House of the Agua Rosada [Thornton, John K: "The Kongolese Saint Anthonty: Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita and the Antonian Movement, 1684-1706", page 20. Cambridge University, 1998] (ruled 1688 – December 1695)
* Pedro IV Afonso Agua Rosada Nusamu a Mvemba of the House of the Agua Rosada [Thornton, John K: "The Kongolese Saint Anthonty: Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita and the Antonian Movement, 1684-1706", page 36. Cambridge University, 1998] (ruled December 1695- Februaru 1709)

Awenekongo of Lemba (Mbula) for the House of Kinlaza

* Pedro III Nsimba Ntamba [Thornton, John K: "The Kongolese Saint Anthonty: Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita and the Antonian Movement, 1684-1706", page 79. Cambridge University, 1998] (ruled June 1669-1680)
* João Manuel II Nzuzi a Ntamba [Thornton, John K: "The Kongolese Saint Anthonty: Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita and the Antonian Movement, 1684-1706", page 38. Cambridge University, 1998] (ruled 1680–1716)

Mwenekongo of Mbamba Lovata for the Kimpanzu

* Manuel de Vuzi a Nóbrega [Thornton, John K: "The Kongolese Saint Anthonty: Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita and the Antonian Movement, 1684-1706", page 79. Cambridge University, 1998] (ruled 1678-1715)

Awenekongo after the Reoccupation of São Salvador

* Pedro IV Nusamu a Mvemba of the House of the Agua Rosada (ruled Kibangu December 1695 – early 1709; ruled reunited kingdom from São Salvador February 1709–21 February 1718)
* Manuel II Mpanzu a Nimi of the House of Kimpanzu (ruled February 1718–21 April 1743)
* Garcia IV Nkanga a Mvandu of the House of Kinlaza from Mbula (ruled 27 July 1743–31 March 1752)
* Nicolau I Misaki mia Nimi of the House of Kimpanzu (ruled 27 August 1752–post 1758)
* Afonso IV Nkanga a Nkanga of the House of Kinlaza
* António II Mvita a Mpanzu of the House of Kimpanzu
* Sebastião I Nkanga kia Nkanga of the House of Kinlaza
* Pedro V Ntivila a Nkanga of the House of Kimpanzu (ruled September 1763–1764)
* Álvaro XI Nkanga a Nkanga of the House of Kinlaza from Nkondo (ruled May 1764–1778)
* José I Mpasi a Nkanga of the House of Kinlaza [Thornton, John: "The Origins and Early History of the Kingdom of Kongo, c. 1350-1550", page 100. International Journal of African Historical Studies, Vol. 34, No. 1, 2001] (ruled 1778–1785)
* Afonso V of Kongo of the House of Kinlaza from Nkondo (ruled 1785–1787)
* Álvaro XII of Kongo of the House of Kinlaza from Nkondo (ruled 1787–unknown)
* Alexio I Mpanzu a Mbandu (ruled unknown–1793)
* Joaquim I of Kongo (ruled 1793–94)
* Henrique I Masaki ma Mpanzu (ruled 10 January 1794–1803)
* Garcia V Nkanga a Mvemba (ruled 1803 – start 1830)
* André II Mvizi a Lukeni (ruled start 1830–1842)
* Henrique II Mpanzu a Nsindi a Nimi a Lukeni (ruled 1842 – January 1857)
* Álvaro XIII of Kongo also known as Ndongo (ruled January 1857–7 August 1859)
* Pedro VI of Kongo also known as Elelo (ruled 7 August 1859 – February 1891; signed treaty of vassallage with Portugal in 1888)

Awenekongo after becoming a vassal of Portugal

* Álvaro XIV of Kongo also known as Agua Rosada (ruled February 1891 – November 1896)
* Henrique III of Kongo also known as Tekenge (ruled 1896–1901)
* Pedro VII of Kongo also known as Mbemba (ruled 1901–10)
* Manuel Nkomba of Kongo (ruled 1910–11)
* Manuel III of Kongo also known as Kiditu (ruled 1911–1914)

The Portuguese abolished the title of King of Kongo following the revolt of 1914.

Further reading

This list is constructed primarily from that found in Graziano Saccardo, "'Congo e Angola con la storia dell'antica missione dei cappuccini" (3 vols, Milan, 1982–83), vol. 3, pp. 11–14. Saccardo bases his reconstruction on several kinglists produced over time, by Antonio da Silva, Duke of Mbamba in 1617, by Antonio de Teruel in 1664, by Pedro Mendes in 1710 and by Francisco das Necessidades in 1844. In addition many of the kings wrote letters and signed them with both their names and their numbers, and Saccardo has found many of these to verify the kinglists.

Saccardo's king list has been modified in the following manner: the Kikongo names of the kings have been given in a Kikongo form following norms established in Joseph de Munck, "Kinkulu kia Nsi eto"' (Tumba, 1956, 2nd ed, Matadi, 1971). The Christian names of the kings are given in modern Portuguese spelling. In addition Saccardo's entries have been updated by a number of sources, most notably the kinglist, unknown to him found in the Instituto Histórico e Geografico Brasileiro (Rio de Janeiro) Manuscritos, Lata 6, pasta 2. "Catallogo dos reis de Congo" MS of c. 1758.

ee also

*Kingdom of Kongo
*Kongo Civil War
*Kanda
*Kinkanga
*Kimpanzu
*Kinlaza
*Agua Rosada
*History of Angola

References

External links

* [http://www.rmki.kfki.hu/~lukacs/CONGO.htm full list with annotations]
* [http://ellone-loire.net/obsidian/Centafr.html#Angola alternative list from regnal chronologies]
* [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Angola_native.html alternative list from worlstatesmen.org]