João I

…baptized and assumed Christian names—João I Nzinga a Nkuwu and Afonso I Mvemba a Nzinga, respectively. Afonso, who became manikongo c.1509, extended Kongo’s borders, centralized administration, and forged strong ties between Kongo and Portugal. He eventually faced problems with the Portuguese community that settled in Kongo regarding their handling…

…Christian names, Afonso I and João I, respectively. During his father’s reign as king, Afonso served under him in various roles—including in an administrative capacity in Kongo’s northeastern province of Nsundi, which he expanded in the late 1490s. Although he was removed from the Nsundi position c. 1500, he had…