AFRICAN QUEENS PART 2

Queen Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba: A True Slay Queen

After learning about Queen Nzinga, I was simultaneously inspired and enraged. Why wasn’t she a prominent figure in my history lessons? Why had her story been hidden from my childhood?

Queen Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba, a symbol of African pride, deserves to be celebrated as one of the greatest female role models in history. Forget Barbie—her image should adorn t-shirts, backpacks, and posters, inspiring girls around the world.

Born in the 1600s in what is now modern-day Angola, Nzinga emerged as a fierce, intelligent, and strategic leader during a time when the Portuguese were ravaging the region through the transatlantic slave trade. She was exceptionally gifted—learning to read, write, and speak Portuguese fluently. Her father, the king of Ndongo, recognized her talent and involved her in critical negotiations with the Portuguese. This training prepared her for a leadership role far beyond what tradition allowed her to imagine.

Rising to Power

Tradition dictated that her brother, Mbandi, succeed their father as king, despite Nzinga’s superior leadership abilities. Mbandi lacked the skill and resilience needed to withstand the chaos the Portuguese inflicted on the kingdom. Nzinga, already stepping up as a leader in practice, carried the burden of safeguarding her people.

After one of her regular visits to negotiate with the Portuguese, King Mbandi took his own life—likely overwhelmed by the dire situation and perhaps by the weight of Nzinga’s warnings about their colonial enemies. With the throne empty and the kingdom vulnerable, the Portuguese seized the opportunity to attack.

But Nzinga wasn’t about to let her people fall. Refusing to surrender to chaos, she led her people to safety in the mountains, where she built a formidable resistance. Over the next four decades, Nzinga outmaneuvered and outlasted the Portuguese settlers, keeping her people safe and free from the horrors of the slave trade.

A Revolutionary Leader

Nzinga was no ordinary queen. She challenged every tradition that tried to restrict her power. She claimed the title of ruler officially, despite the societal norms that said women couldn’t lead. She fought battles, forged alliances, and led with a brilliance and determination that could only be described as revolutionary.

Her resilience in the face of unimaginable loss—her father, her brother, and the kingdom’s stability—makes her story even more remarkable. Nzinga turned every setback into a step forward. She wasn’t just a leader; she was a powerhouse, a visionary, and a force of nature.

Legacy of a Slay Queen

Queen Nzinga’s story is one of strength, intelligence, and defiance. She was a real-life superhero, leading her people with courage and wit while dismantling the narrative that women couldn’t hold power.

Nzinga wasn’t just a queen; she was a warrior, a strategist, and a beacon of hope for her people. Her legacy continues to inspire generations, proving that true greatness knows no bounds—neither gender nor tradition could stop her.

Nzinga, the queen of Ndongo and Matamba, was indeed a slay queen in every sense of the word. I adore her, and the world should too.