The Warrior Queen Nzinga Research Paper

“Sometimes force is able to exterminate the wicked customs of those that do not use reason and do not understand any argument without punishment.” stated Queen Nzinga of Matamba and Ndongo. Queen Nzinga believed in reason and justice. Her ways were so unlike the Portuguese invaders, who were enslaving her people that it caused many conflicts. The Warrior Queen, Nzinga, was a wise and strong ruler. From the beginning of her life, to her queenly duties, and her problems with Portugal, till her last breath she powerfully dictated Ndango and Matamba with eloquence. She never shied away from using her force as queen on people she believed were wicked. Imagine a girl so excellently groomed and taught that she would not only attain the power of queen

[2] After being crowned, when Nzinga was still a teen, Ngola was blessed with a son who would be the next in line to the throne. During the childhood of Nzinga, she was treated as the heir of Ndango by being trained for the duties she had ahead of her. During the rule of Ngola, Nzinga played a crucial role as a consultant and diplomat as her weak brother was overcome by the pressures of his role. When the Portuguese invaded, his role became an overbearing pressure and the young king took his life. Quickly, Nzinga was recognized as a regent for her brother's son, who was still a baby. Since Nzinga was well trained, she was a capable diplomat and military leader, which surprised many. She set strategic base operating points in key countries around her and made alliances with many old enemies. Later her brother's son died, leaving her with complete control. Nzinga has a plethora of qualities that set Matamba and Ndango up for success. She was a strong woman. She was a smart man. And she was a worrier. She demanded respect from all who knew her and expected to be treated with honor, forcing people to call her king and not queen. Later when Nzinga was overjoyed at hearing the Portuguese would agree to an alliance, she converted to Christianity, because they had shared it with her. [3] Excitedly, she changed her name to the Christian name Dona Anna de Souza. In her rule, she was a strong and magnificent Christian ruler,

6 This brought about war. Nzinga and her neighbors, who were formerly enemies, formulated alliances and were joined by the Dutch to end the Portuguese for good. Fernande de Sousa, the governor representative of Portugal, tried to defend the newly made settlement like a racoon with his garbage, and captured Nzinga's capital, but the tribes had the advantage. They had the Dutch, Nzinga, and they knew the terrain. After 30 years of fighting, in the year 1657 there was peace. Queen Nzinga was finally able to focus on rebuilding and ruling the country that was under her care in a way that Ngola never was. [2] In the early days of the problems with Portugal, Nzinga was commissioned to a peace conference with the Governor Representative of Portugal Fernande de Sousa. It was a hot, dusty day in Ndongo and Queen Nzinga had made her way to the settlement in hope of eliminating the fighting and the slave trade. The elegant queen walked into the room where the governor was working. It smelled of sawdust and the heat was pouring through the open wind hole, making it stuffy. The governor kindly welcomed her and sat down in a chair given to him. Nzinga saw no chair bought for her, but just a plain mat on the floor. She then realized what they meant. They treated her less than the mere governor, even though she was the queen. Angered by this, she made it clear