Congo: Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga, baptised João I by Portuguese missionaries in 1491, reigned 1470-1506.

Congo: Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga, baptised João I by Portuguese missionaries in 1491, reigned 1470-1506.

João I of Kongo, alias Nzinga a Nkuwu or Nkuwu Nzinga, was ruler of the Kingdom of Kongo between 1470-1506. He was baptized as João in 3 May 1491 by Portuguese missionaries. Initially, only the king and his nobles were to be converted, but the queen demanded to be baptised. Kongo's royal family took the names of their Portuguese counterparts, thus João, Eleanor (or Leanor in some instances) and Afonso. A thousand subjects were detailed to help the Portuguese carpenters build a church, meanwhile the Portuguese soldiers accompanied the king in a campaign to defend the province of Nsundi from BaTeke raiders. The European firearms were decisive in the victory and many captives were taken. Most of the Portuguese later departed with slaves and ivory while leaving behind priests and craftsmen. After this cultural honeymoon, the king's profession of the Catholic faith proved short lived. His life ended in 1506. He was succeeded by his son via the Queen, Afonso I.

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