It is not any leader that is capable of leading their people for more than 30 years during 17th-century Angola, while being chased by a much more powerful Portuguese army. Her name is Nzinga Mbande, and she defied expectations and reshaped history.
Nzinga was born in 1583, as daughter of the king of Ndombo (located in present day Angola) and his favorite concubine. Despite not being in the succession line, she was trained militarily and in diplomacy, and eventually rose up to be the most capable of handling the throne and became Queen in 1624.
Nzinga's strategic prowess was evident in various aspects of her rule. In one notable instance, during a meeting with the Portuguese governor, Nzinga sat on a servant's back when no chair was provided, asserting her status as an equal, instead of sitting in the floor like previous diplomats sent. In order to protect his people she went as far as agreeing to be baptized and opening relationships with the Portuguese, which allowed to reign until her 80’s, quite remarkable for her time.
The story of Nzinga Ndongo illustrates the diverse roles women have played in different societies throughout history. Cultural norms may vary, but the courage and determination of women like Nzinga remind us that powerful female leaders have always existed, shaping the world in their unique ways.
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