Brief Overview & Rise Of Kongo

Question 1

Rise of Kongo

Answer 1

Geographical:
- Mbanza Kongo was already well inhabited by the Mweme Kabunga and therefore had a ready supply of workers, but it was also at the confluence of forest and coastal trade routes

• Positioned on higher ground and was therefore strategically advantageous for groups to build a kingdom from.

Question 2

Migration

Answer 2

• The Mwissikongo migrated south across the Kongo River, probably at some time in the 15th century
• Kansas would migrate to build and form alliances
• Kongo took control of Mpanga and Nsundi this way

Question 3

Formation of alliances

Answer 3

• The kingdom of Mpemba Kasi was ruled by Nimi a Nzima
• An alliance was made between him and Mpuka a Nsuku, the ruler of Mbata, because they both wanted to ensure succession in their respective kingdoms
• The ruling families linked through marauder and has children - notably Lukeni Lua Nimi
• He needed to build alliances and name military expeditions to allow him to take control of smaller kingdoms and areas including that of Mbanza Kongo
• Smaller places brought into alliance works then become provinces.

Question 4

The kanda system

Answer 4

• Power was organized through household patterns, the land lineage was at the heart of political authority
• Descent and inheritance was predominately matrilineal ( through the mothers line )
• Other Kansas would then approach and marry among them

Question 5

Political development

Answer 5

• The kingdom of Kongo was formed when 12 kandas formed an alliance.
• They made a rule that only they could choose the king, or Manikongo
• Members of these 12 Manikongo then served as the Mwissikongo
• Later, the Manikongo also has his own ‘court’ or household, of people who were independent of the kanda
• Rival factions could develop between the Kandas, disputes sometimes happened

Question 6

Economic development

Answer 6

• The provinces paid tribute

Question 7

Social development

Answer 7

• Kandas were organized in order to help determine who could fame different pieces of land
• Some people were slaves I.e people did not have a Kanda, they were classified as children and had fewer rights, but over time they could become full members of their owners kanda, in which case they were no longer slaves
• MAJOR urbanization, with Mbanza Kongo developed using Portugese stonemasons and carpenters
• The vata (villages) were threatened by the growing power and practice of slavery

Question 8

Reasons for Developent of Catholicism

Answer 8

• Portugese expedition by Diogo Cao arrived in Kongo in 1482
• Ambassadors were sent to Portugal and return 2 years later persuading Manikongo Nzinga a Nkuwu to convert and rename to Joao I
• Previous Manikongos had to marry into Kongolese priestly lineage called manivunda, conversion meant this could be side stepped - political reasons for conversion
• Other religious reasons involving beliefs