#africanheritage

[ghost-37]

[longliveblackness]

Queen Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba

Queen Nzinga (Nzinga Mbande), the monarch of the Mbundu people, was a resilient leader who fought against the Portuguese and their expanding slave trade in Central Africa.

In 1622 they invited Ngola (King) Mbande to attend a peace conference there to end the hostilities with the Mbundu. Mbande sent his sister Nzinga to represent him in a meeting with Portuguese Governor Joao Corria de Sousa. She knew of events in the Kongo which had led to Portuguese domination of the nominally independent nation. She also recognized, however, that to refuse to trade with the Portuguese would remove a potential ally and the major source of guns for her own state.

In the first of a series of meetings, Nzinga sought to establish her equality with the representative of the Portugal crown. Noting that the only chair in the room was Governor Corria’s, she immediately motioned to one of her assistants, who fell to her hands and knees and served as a chair for Nzinga for the rest of the meeting.

Nzinga made accommodations with the Portuguese. She converted to Christianity and adopted the name Dona Anna de Souza. She was baptized in honor of the governor’s wife who also became her godmother. Shortly afterwards Nzinga urged a reluctant Ngola Mbande to order the conversion of his people to Christianity.

In 1626 Nzinga became Queen of the Mbundu when her brother committed suicide in the face of rising Portuguese demands for slave trade concessions. Nzinga, however, refused to allow them to control her nation.

In 1627, after forming alliances with former rival states, she led her army against the Portuguese, initiating a thirty-year war against them.

She exploited European rivalry by forging an alliance with the Dutch who had conquered Luanda in 1641. With their help, Nzinga defeated a Portuguese army in 1647. When the Dutch were in turn defeated by the Portuguese the following year and withdrew from Central Africa, Nzinga continued her struggle against the Portuguese. Now in her 60s she still personally led troops in battle.

She also orchestrated guerilla attacks on the Portuguese which would continue long after her death and inspire the ultimately successful 20th Century armed resistance against the Portuguese that resulted in independent Angola in 1975.

Despite repeated attempts by the Portuguese and their allies to capture or kill Queen Nzinga, she died peacefully in her eighties on December 17, 1663.

•••

Reina Nzinga de Ndongo y Matamba

La reina Nzinga (Nzinga Mbande), monarca del pueblo Mbundu, fue una líder resiliente que luchó contra los portugueses y su creciente comercio de esclavos en África Central.

En 1622 invitaron a Ngola Mbande (el rey) a asistir a una conferencia de paz para poner fin a las hostilidades con los Mbundu. Mbande envió a su hermana Nzinga para que lo representara en una reunión con el gobernador portugués Joao Corria de Sousa. Ella conocía los acontecimientos que habían llevado a la dominación portuguesa de la nación nominalmente independiente del Congo. Sin embargo, también era consciente de que negarse a comerciar con los portugueses supondría perder un aliado potencial y la principal fuente de armas para su propio estado.

En la primera de una serie de reuniones, Nzinga trató de establecer su igualdad con el representante de la corona portuguesa. Al observar que la única silla que había en la sala era la del gobernador Corria, inmediatamente le hizo una señal a uno de sus ayudantes, quien se arrodilló y sirvió de silla a Nzinga durante el resto de la reunión.

Nzinga llegó a un acuerdo con los portugueses. Se convirtió al cristianismo y adoptó el nombre de Doña Anna de Souza. Fue bautizada en honor a la esposa del gobernador, quien también se convirtió en su madrina. Poco después, Nzinga le insistió a un reacio Ngola Mbande a ordenar la conversión de su pueblo al cristianismo.

En 1626, Nzinga se convirtió en reina de los Mbundu cuando su hermano se suicidó ante las crecientes exigencias portuguesas de concesiones para el comercio de esclavos. Sin embargo, Nzinga se negó a permitirles controlar su nación.

En 1627, tras formar alianzas con antiguos estados rivales, lideró su ejército contra los portugueses, iniciando una guerra de treinta años contra ellos.

Aprovechó la rivalidad europea forjando una alianza con los holandeses, que habían conquistado Luanda en 1641. Con su ayuda, Nzinga derrotó al ejército portugués en 1647. Cuando los holandeses fueron derrotados a su vez por los portugueses al año siguiente y se retiraron de África Central, Nzinga continuó su lucha contra los portugueses. A sus 60 años, seguía dirigiendo personalmente a sus tropas en la batalla.

También organizó ataques guerrilleros contra los portugueses, ataques que continuarían mucho después de su muerte e inspirarían la resistencia armada del siglo XX contra los portugueses, que finalmente tuvo éxito y dio lugar a la independencia de Angola en 1975.

A pesar de los repetidos intentos de los portugueses y sus aliados por capturar o matar a la reina Nzinga, esta murió pacíficamente a los ochenta años, el 17 de diciembre de 1663.

[ptseti]

The world loves to paint Africa as one story, one struggle, one narrative — but look at the Tuareg women of the Sahara and see a truth the West rarely tells. Here, women hold the lineage.

They own the tents, the camels, the wealth. They choose their partners — and they can dismiss them too. A society where womanhood isn’t a burden, but a birthright of authority, respect, and freedom.

A reminder: before colonial borders and imported patriarchy, Africa held countless systems that honored women. The story has always been bigger, richer, older. Let this be a lesson — we’re not discovering empowerment; we’re returning to it.

[theuncannytruthteller]

Olandria Carthen is absolutely glowing in red at the 2025 VMAs.

We celebrate Blackness over here

[darksilenceinsuburbiareloaded]

JJ / Lejardinjolof | Communication is key... kindness, care, empathy to help us to build positive relationship, 2022 | color photography

@lejardinjolof

[asilwa]

Burna Boy: Afro-Fusion Maestro and Global Cultural Icon

Burna Boy, the Nigerian musical maestro, has transcended borders, leaving an indelible mark on the global music scene. His Afro-fusion sound is a vibrant tapestry woven with influences from Afrobeat, reggae, and dancehall, creating a sonic experience that is uniquely Burna.

With critically acclaimed albums like “African Giant” and “Twice as Tall,” Burna Boy has not only asserted his musical prowess but also become a cultural ambassador, bridging the gap between traditional African sounds and contemporary global music trends.

Burna’s lyrical genius extends beyond mere entertainment, often touching on social issues, identity, and the African experience. His unapologetic celebration of African heritage resonates with audiences worldwide, sparking a renaissance in appreciation for diverse musical traditions.

Beyond the beats, Burna Boy is a torchbearer for African representation on the international stage. His Grammy win in 2021 for “Twice as Tall” signaled a historic moment for African music, solidifying Burna’s position as a global icon.

In a world where music is a universal language, Burna Boy’s compositions serve as a powerful testament to the richness of African culture. As he continues to shape the sound of a generation, Burna Boy stands not just as a musical powerhouse but as a cultural luminary, inspiring a new era of appreciation for the diverse sounds emanating from the continent.

[goldentreeartshop]

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[mosherii]

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