Anne Zingha Queen of Matamba…François Villain (lithographer) – Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Photographs and Prints
Queen Nzinga
Queen Nzinga of Ndongo, otherwise known as Njinga Mbande or Ana de Sousa Nzinga Mbande was born in 1583, during the time the Atlantic Slave trade was booming and the Portuguese were gradually establishing control over Angola.
Most of the local chiefs assisted the Portuguese either in slave raiding or taking possession of lands and in return, receiving items such as mirrors, guns, even wines and other material items.
Nevertheless, the queen did not. Instead, she became a military strategist and a warrior. She defeated the Portuguese at Ngoleme and later at the Battle of Kombi.
Afterwards, the queen and the Portuguese signed a peace treaty.
She proclaimed her territory a free country where all lived equally and she became renowned for her bravery and heroism in fighting slave trade. The queen also resettled former slaves and protected her people from oppression.
Until her death in 1663, she showed compassion to her people and is forever lauded for her exceptional leadership qualities.
