Timeline of the Kongo Kingdom

By osughrue16
  • Nov 1, 1483

    The First Encounters

    In this year, the Portuguese first made contact with teh Kongo Kingdom. The explorer Diogo Cão landed on the shores of western Africa and in an usual twist, the two cultures first treated eachother with great diplomacy.
  • Nov 1, 1491

    Their Ba-ack!

    In this year the Portuguese returned to further gain profit from their southern neighbours. Portuguese forces helped to end a rebellion against the Kongo's leading rulers. This also marked the start of far increased trade between the two.
  • Nov 1, 1506

    Alfonso Takes the Throne

    Alfonso inheirited the throne from his father and proclaimed the Kongo Empire Catholic.
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    Rule of Nzinga

    During the rule of Queen Nzinga, the Kongo Kingdom began to argue to increase their profits from the slave trade with the Portuguese. This conflict lead to the sponsorship by the Portuguese of Queen Nzinga's brother to ascend to the throne, leading to a bloody civil war.

  • Garcia Takes a Stand

    In this year, Garcia allied himself with the Dutch, marking the conclusion of good will between the Portuguese and the Kongo monarchs.

  • The Civil Wars Begin

    At arround this time, the royal family began to splinter regarding the profits of the slave trade. After Queen Nzinga began to demand for too much from the Portuguese, they sponsored a run at the throne from her less forcefull brother.

  • Battle of Mbwila

    On this day, the Portuguese thoroughly defeated the Kongo Empire in the Battle of Mbwila.

  • The Battle of Kitombo

    On this day, Portugues froces were defeated by the forces of the Kongo. The ruling family splintered into three branches and the Civil Wars began in earnest.
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    The Life of Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita

    At the age of twenty, the young women said that she had recieved a vision from Saint Anthony who would help her preach and spread the word of God. She did so until her following was too strong for the authorities liking and she was burned at the stake in 1706. Her messages sought to end the civil wars that were so common in the area of her birth.