When Nzinga’s brother, Ngola Mbande, became king, he faced a big problem: the Portuguese. The Portuguese had invaded their land, enslaved their people, and taken control of their resources. Nzinga stepped up to help her brother. She traveled to meet the Portuguese governor to negotiate peace. But when she arrived, the governor tried to humiliate her by offering her only a mat to sit on—implying she was beneath him. Nzinga didn’t back down. She motioned for one of her servants to kneel on all fours and used their back as her throne. This bold move showed the Portuguese that she was a force to be reckoned with.
The Warrior Queen Rises
Nzinga’s brother, however, grew paranoid. He feared Nzinga’s growing influence and even killed her only son, believing he might one day challenge him for the throne. Heartbroken but determined, Nzinga played the long game. She became her brother’s trusted advisor, secretly plotting her next move. When her brother died under mysterious circumstances (some say Nzinga gave him bad advice that led to his downfall), she took control of Ndongo.
But the Portuguese didn’t make it easy. They forced her out of her kingdom, so Nzinga fled to the neighboring kingdom of Matamba. There, she married its king, trained as a warrior, and eventually became queen. With her new army, she returned to Ndongo and reclaimed her throne, uniting the two kingdoms into a powerful force.
Outsmarting the Portuguese
Nzinga was a master strategist. She knew she couldn’t defeat the Portuguese head-on, so she used her wit. She formed alliances with other African kingdoms and even with the Dutch, who were enemies of the Portuguese. She also turned her kingdom into a commercial hub, trading goods like ivory and textiles to strengthen her economy.
But Nzinga’s most daring move was creating a safe haven for runaway slaves. She welcomed thousands of escaped slaves into her army, giving them freedom and a chance to fight for their homeland. Her army grew stronger, and the Portuguese struggled to keep up with her clever tactics.
A Legacy of Courage
Queen Nzinga ruled for decades, outsmarting her enemies and fighting for her people’s freedom. She never gave up, even when the odds were against her. Her story is one of bravery, intelligence, and resilience. She proved that with courage and determination, even the smallest kingdom could stand up to the mightiest empires.
Queen Nzinga died in 1663 at the age of 80, but her legacy lives on. She is remembered as a symbol of resistance and empowerment, a queen who used her wits, her army, and her unshakable spirit to protect her people and her land.
So, the next time you face a challenge, remember Queen Nzinga. She didn’t just sit on a throne—she built one, even when others tried to knock her down. And she did it all while changing the course of history.
Fun Fact: Queen Nzinga’s story inspired countless generations, and today, she is celebrated as a national hero in Angola. Her name means “to twist” or “to turn,” which is fitting for a queen who always found a way to outmaneuver her enemies!
