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Afonso I

king of Kongo kingdom
Also known as: Afonso I Mvemba a Nzinga, Dom Afonso, Mvemba a Nzinga, Nzinga Mbemba(Show More)

Afonso I (born c. 1460—died 1542) was the ruler of Kongo (historical kingdom in west-central Africa) and the first of a line of Portuguese vassal kings that lasted until the early 20th century. He is sometimes called “The Apostle of Kongo” for his role in making Kongo a Christian kingdom. Nothing is known of his early life; most of what is known of his later life originates from a remarkable series of letters he wrote...