Lukeni lua Nimi
Lukeni lua Nimi | |
---|---|
Nanga of Kongo | |
Born | around 1380 |
Died | 1420 |
Dynasty | Lukeni kanda |
Father | Nimi a Nzima |
Lukeni lua Nimi (also Ntinu Nimi a Lukeni; c. 1380–1420) was the traditional founder of the Lukeni kanda dynasty, first king of Kongo and founder of the Kingdom of Kongo Dia Ntotila. The name Nimi a Lukeni appeared in later oral traditions and some modern historians, notably Jean Cuvelier, popularized it.[1][2] He conquered the kingdom of Mwene.
Biography
He was the son of Nimi a Nzima,ruler of Mpemba Kasi and Luqueni Luansanze,the Mwene Mbata's daughter (a marriage arranged to form an alliance between Nimi's domain and Mbata), according to traditions recorded by Giovanni Cavazzi da Montecuccolo in the mid 17th century. His given name was that of his mother, Lukeni lua Nsanze, meaning that he was at least the fourth-born son. During his father's reign, Lukeni lua Nimi was responsible for collecting tolls from passers-by in his domain while he was absent. This gave rise to a story, where Lukeni lua Nimi was forced to kill a pregnant female relative as she did not want to pay the toll. He was not punished for this by his father, and it was a respected act (either for being bloodthirsty or for impartiality in regards to law).[2]: 109
Although he probably ruled in the valley of the Kwilu River in modern-day
He probably died young, as his son (not an adult at the time of his death),
See also
References
- .
- ^ JSTOR 3097288.
Bibliography
- Thornton, John K (2020). A history of west central Africa to 1850. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Mateso, Bruce (2022). Nimi A Lukeni : Le roi forgeron de Kôngo. La Loupe, N'Tamo (Brazzaville). Paris: Paari éditeur (in French).