African Queens Part 3

                                                                                           

                         Source: Wikipedia 

Queen Kimpa Vita: The African Prophetess Who Challenged Colonialism

This is the story of a young woman who claimed to have been raised from the dead and chosen by Jesus to expose colonial injustices and introduce the African people to a new form of worship. This moment marked the beginning of an extraordinary tale of courage and vision.

Beatriz Kimpa Vita, often called Kimpa Vita, was born sometime between 1666 and 1688 in the Kingdom of Kongo. From an early age, Kimpa experienced visions of the future, leading her parents to send her for training as a Nganga Marinda—a spiritual leader who connects with the spiritual realm.

But Kimpa's path took a dramatic turn after a near-death experience in her teens. She declared, “I have seen Jesus. He wants Africans to be free from colonial rule. And, by the way, He is Congolese, just like you—so are all the biblical figures!”

This revelation shook Kimpa’s worldview. She renounced her role as a Nganga Marinda and sought answers in the Catholic Church. But there, she found disappointment: the priests taught that colonization was God’s will for Africans and that Jesus and the saints were white.

Kimpa Vita knew better. She rejected these colonial narratives and forged her own spiritual path.

Antonianism: A New Faith for Freedom

Kimpa Vita founded Antonianism, a movement that reinterpreted Catholic teachings to reflect the African identity. She preached that Jesus and other biblical figures were black and African. At the heart of her mission was a command she believed came directly from Jesus: to rebuild Mbanza Kongo, the former capital of the Kongo Kingdom, which had been ravaged by the Portuguese.

Kimpa was confident that with the support of Jesus, a new king, and her faith, Mbanza Kongo could return to its former glory. At just 20 years old, she led thousands of followers, inspiring hope and unity among her people.

A Prophetess with a Divine Connection

What set Kimpa Vita apart was her claim of a direct connection to heaven. Every Friday, she would "travel" to heaven in her sleep and return on Sunday, relaying instructions from Jesus on how to free her people. Her bold assertion that Jesus was black and Congolese resonated deeply with her followers, who shared her dream of restoring Kongo's greatness.

A Threat to the Church and State

Kimpa Vita’s growing influence alarmed the Catholic Church and the political leaders of Kongo. Her teachings undermined colonial authority and challenged the Church’s narrative of a white Jesus and divine approval for colonization.

In the early 1700s, Kimpa Vita was captured near her hometown. At just 21 years old and pregnant, she was accused of heresy and burned at the stake alongside her unborn child. Her execution was a brutal attempt to silence her revolutionary ideas.

Legacy of Queen Kimpa Vita

Despite her untimely death, Kimpa Vita’s teachings left a lasting impact. While many were forced back into the Catholic Church, some continued to believe in her message, holding on to the hope that she would one day return.

Kimpa Vita’s story is one of extraordinary bravery and vision. She was more than a prophetess—she was a leader, activist, and spiritual revolutionary who dared to challenge the oppressive systems of her time. Her life was tragically short, but her legacy endures as a testament to the resilience and strength of African women in the fight against colonialism.

Yes, the prophetess from Africa: Queen Kimpa Vita.