In 1624, the Portuguese began to push deeper into the interior of Ndongo, seeking to assert control over the region and its people. The Portuguese were deeply invested in maintaining dominance over the area due to its rich natural resources and access to the slave trade. At this time, the Portuguese sought to forge alliances with local African kingdoms, often offering bribes and promises of support in exchange for loyalty.

Initially, Njinga was sent by her brother, King Ngola Kimbande, to negotiate with the Portuguese, who were seeking to establish a military and political alliance. The famous meeting between Njinga and the Portuguese governor, João Correia de Sousa, is one of the most iconic moments in her life. According to historical accounts, when Njinga arrived at the Portuguese camp to negotiate, she found that there was no chair for her to sit on. Rather than accept the slight, she ordered one of her attendants to kneel and used them as a seat. This bold gesture immediately displayed her strength and determination, setting the tone for her future engagements with the Portuguese.

The negotiations, however, did not go in her favor. The Portuguese insisted on their demands, and Njinga’s brother, the king, was forced to accept Portuguese terms. However, Njinga's dissatisfaction with the outcome spurred her to take a different path. Following her brother's death, she became the queen of Ndongo, a position she would hold until her death, marking the beginning of her reign as one of the most resolute resistors of Portuguese colonial rule.

Military Leadership and Resistance

Upon assuming the throne, Njinga began to organize a fierce resistance against the Portuguese invaders. She recognized that her kingdom, although vast and resource-rich, was at a disadvantage in terms of military technology and resources compared to the well-equipped Portuguese. However, she possessed qualities that transcended her disadvantages: strategic intelligence, charisma, and an unshakeable will to defend her people.

Njinga assembled an army composed of both men and women, who were trained in the art of warfare. She skillfully used guerilla tactics to harass and ambush Portuguese forces, and she forged alliances with neighboring kingdoms, including the Kingdom of Matamba, which would later become a vital part of her empire. She also engaged in diplomatic maneuvers, seeking support from other European powers, including the Dutch, who were enemies of the Portuguese.

One of the most significant moments in her military career came in 1641, when she successfully captured the city of Luanda, the Portuguese stronghold in Angola, with the help of the Dutch. This victory solidified her status as a formidable military leader and an enemy to the Portuguese empire. Her forces, however, did not maintain the city for long, as the Dutch were soon forced to retreat, and the Portuguese reasserted their control over the region.

Despite the setbacks, Njinga continued to fight and resist Portuguese domination. She never wavered in her commitment to protecting her people from the horrors of the slave trade and colonial exploitation. shutdown123