Queen Nzinga Mbande (Anna de Sousa Nzinga)
(circa 1583-1663), Queen of the Mbundu people of Ndongo and MatambaSitter in 1 portrait
Ann Zingha also known as Queen Nzinga Mbande, was a 17th century African ruler of the Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms of the Mbundo people in Angola. She fought for the freedom and recognition of her kingdoms against the Portuguese. She served as an envoy for her brother King Ngola Mbande at peace negotiations and demonstrated great political and diplomatic acumen. After the death of her brother in 1624 she was elected Queen by a small faction of eligible voters, her opponents refused to regard her as the legitimate ruler of Ndongo and joined the Portuguese in an attempt to remove her from the thrown. Her ruling prowess, successfully transformed her Kingdom into a commercial state to rival Portuguese colonies.
Queen Nzinga Mbande (Anna de Sousa Nzinga)
by Achille Devéria, printed by François Le Villain, published by Edward Bull, published by Edward Churton, after Unknown artist
hand-coloured lithograph, 1830s
NPG D34632
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