2.3. Achievements of the Manikongos

Question 1

Who was Afonso I and what was his original name?

Answer 1

Afonso I was originally named Mvemba Nzinga.

Question 2

What significant religious conversion did Afonso I undergo?

Answer 2

Afonso I converted to Catholicism.

Question 3

What civil conflict occurred upon Afonso I’s ascension to the throne?

Answer 3

Afonso I faced a civil war with factions wishing to expel Europeans and those wanting to welcome them.

Question 4

What was Afonso I’s relationship with the Portuguese during his reign?

Answer 4

Afonso I entered into beneficial relations with King Manuel of Portugal.

Question 5

What were some domestic achievements of Afonso I?

Answer 5

Afonso I built schools, roads, and expanded the capital using Portuguese stone masons.

Question 6

What challenges did Afonso I face regarding the slave trade?

Answer 6

Afonso I struggled to regulate the slave trade and faced increasing problems with Portuguese traders.

Question 7

Fill in the blank: Afonso I attributed his victory in the civil war to _______.

Answer 7

divine intervention.

Question 8

What actions did Afonso I take to promote Christianity?

Answer 8

Afonso I destroyed traditional religious symbols and built churches and schools.

Question 9

How did Afonso I attempt to regulate the slave trade?

Answer 9

He issued decrees to regulate and moderate the slave trade and set taxes on slave purchases.

Question 10

True or False: Afonso I entirely rejected the slave trade.

Answer 10

False.

Question 11

Who succeeded Afonso I after his death?

Answer 11

Pedro I succeeded Afonso I.

Question 12

What was the outcome of Pedro I’s reign?

Answer 12

Pedro I faced opposition and was overthrown in 1545.

Question 13

Who was Diogo I and what was his relationship to Afonso I?

Answer 13

Diogo I was the grandson of Afonso I.

Question 14

What did Diogo I do to counteract opposition during his reign?

Answer 14

Diogo I developed networks of clerical support and welcomed Jesuit missionaries.

Question 15

How did Diogo I manipulate the slave trade?

Answer 15

He required nzimbu shells to be used as currency, making Portuguese traders dependent on Kongo.

Question 16

What significant military action did Diogo I undertake?

Answer 16

Diogo I launched a war against Ndongo.

Question 17

What was the result of Diogo I’s military actions against Ndongo?

Answer 17

Kongolese forces suffered a severe defeat, leading to Ndongo’s recognition by Portugal.

Question 18

What major issue plagued the Kongo after Diogo I’s death?

Answer 18

Succession disputes became a major problem.

Question 19

What was the time frame of the House of Kwilu’s rule?

Answer 19

1568-1622.

Question 20

What was the outcome of the Portuguese missions to Ndongo in 1579?

Answer 20

The missions ended in a disastrous uprising, forcing the Portuguese to retreat.

Question 21

Fill in the blank: The capital of the Kongo was located at _______.

Answer 21

Mbanza Kongo.

Question 22

What system did the Kongo political structure provide for succession?

Answer 22

Open election of a successor from among the descendants of the first king.

Question 23

What were the provinces of Kongo administered by?

Answer 23

Governors appointed by the manikongo.

Question 24

What was a significant aspect of Afonso I’s legacy regarding Christianity?

Answer 24

He promoted Christianity diligently, despite the poor behavior of many missionaries.

Question 25

What major problems did Afonso I face during his reign?

Answer 25

Challenges with the slave trade, Portuguese traders' actions, and internal succession issues.

Question 26

What major problem arose from succession disputes for the next 200 years?

Answer 26

Succession disputes became a major problem for the next 200 years.

Question 27

What significant event took place in 1568 involving Alvaro I?

Answer 27

The Jaga invasion occurred and Alvaro’s army was defeated.

Question 28

What was Alvaro I's birth name?

Answer 28

Nimi a Lukeni Lua Mvemba.

Question 29

Who was Alvaro I's mother and whom did she marry after his father's death?

Answer 29

His mother remarried Henrique I.

Question 30

What happened to Henrique I shortly after becoming king?

Answer 30

He died fighting Teke warriors.

Question 31

How did Alvaro I reportedly gain the throne?

Answer 31

He was acclaimed king by a majority of important noble families or took power by force.

Question 32

What was the outcome of Alvaro I's appeal for help during the Jaga invasion?

Answer 32

He was aided by the Portuguese garrison and defeated the invaders.

Question 33

What did Alvaro I rename Mbanza Kongo?

Answer 33

Sao Salvador.

Question 34

What was the Portuguese government's claim regarding Alvaro I's trade rights?

Answer 34

They claimed he granted traders the right to trade without paying taxes.

Question 35

What significant market demand helped Alvaro I acquire revenue?

Answer 35

The demand for Kongo’s raffia cloth.

Question 36

What was Alvaro II's birth name?

Answer 36

Mpanzu a Nimi.

Question 37

What challenges did Alvaro II face upon becoming king?

Answer 37

He had to defeat a rival brother and foil a conspiracy by one of his sisters.

Question 38

What did Alvaro II grant to loyal nobles during his reign?

Answer 38

Habits of the Order of Christ.

Question 39

What was a significant diplomatic issue during Alvaro II's reign?

Answer 39

Struggles with the bishop appointed by the King of Portugal.

Question 40

What was the fate of Kongo's relations with Portuguese Angola during Alvaro II's reign?

Answer 40

Relations worsened significantly.

Question 41

Who was Pedro II?

Answer 41

A compromise candidate elected after Alvaro III's death.

Question 42

What did Pedro II declare after a Portuguese army invaded Kongo?

Answer 42

He declared Angola an enemy of the state.

Question 43

What was the outcome of the battle at Mbanda Kasi?

Answer 43

Kongo crushed the Portuguese and Imbangala forces.

Question 44

What was Garcia I's relationship to Pedro II?

Answer 44

He was Pedro II's son.

Question 45

What happened to Garcia I shortly after he became king?

Answer 45

He was forced to flee to Soyo due to a coup.

Question 46

What significant conflict occurred during the House of Kimpanzu's reign?

Answer 46

A series of wars against Ndongo.

Question 47

What was Garcia II's birth name?

Answer 47

Nkanga a Lukeni a Nzenze a Ntumba.

Question 48

What reputation did Garcia II gain before becoming king?

Answer 48

He was known as a wily military leader.

Question 49

What alliance did Garcia II have to honor during his reign?

Answer 49

The Dutch-Kongolese alliance.

Question 50

What was the outcome of the Dutch invasion of Luanda?

Answer 50

They captured Luanda but could not dislodge Portuguese forces in the interior.

Question 51

What method did Garcia II use to consolidate his power?

Answer 51

He formed a royal council of leading nobles and clergy.

Question 52

What was a key aspect of Kongo's diplomacy during Garcia II's reign?

Answer 52

Opulence of imported goods from the slave trade.

Question 53

What role did Italian and Spanish missionaries play in Garcia II's reign?

Answer 53

They were valuable for ensuring non-Portuguese priests arrived in Kongo.

Question 54

What position did Dom Sebastiao hold?

Answer 54

Duke of Mbamba

Question 55

Who did Dom Sebastiao marry?

Answer 55

One of Garcia's daughters

Question 56

What was the primary strategy used by Garcia II to eliminate political rivals?

Answer 56

Slowly removed members of rival families from political offices

Question 57

Which religious order did the missionaries belong to that Garcia II sent for?

Answer 57

Capuchin order of friars

Question 58

Who led the first group of Capuchin missionaries sent by Garcia II?

Answer 58

Bunaventura d'Alessano

Question 59

In what year did the Capuchin missionaries first arrive?

Answer 59

1645

Question 60

List three main reasons the Capuchin missionaries were valuable to Garcia II.

Answer 60

* They were not Portuguese and would not conspire with the Angolan colony * They did not belong to rival Kongo families * They provided spiritual aid during crises

Question 61

What significant event occurred in 1652 involving secular priests?

Answer 61

Secular priests convinced Garcia II that foreigners encouraged his rivals

Question 62

What did Garcia II do after the Capuchin priest Joris Van Gheel was killed?

Answer 62

Captured all the villagers and sold them off as slaves

Question 63

What actions did Garcia II authorize against other African religious movements?

Answer 63

Campaigns against different African religious movements

Question 64

How did Garcia II's leadership compare to his successors?

Answer 64

No leader after him had similar authority

Question 65

Who is considered 'the most successful manikongo'?

Answer 65

Afonso I

Question 66

What are some measures of 'success' that could be considered in evaluating Afonso I?

Answer 66

* Economic success * Military success * Successful relations with Europeans * Extension