KONGO KINGDOM
GEOGRAPHY
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1,400,000 square miles of lush trees, bushes, rainforest, lakes, and rivers.
Kongo Kingdom was located on the western coast of central Africa. The Kongo River ran through the capital city of Mbanza.
GOVERNMENT
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Success in their kingdom was based on tax exchange, when people paid taxes they were rewarded gifts.
Kongo was ruled by Mani Kongos. First Mani Kongo was Lukeni Nimi (14ht century) who arrived in Mbanza Kongo.
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PEOPLE AND CULTURE
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Tax collection was believed to protect the people against the angry gods.
ECONOMY
fish was a strong source of food as well as crops and grain from farming.
Forests provided fruits and nuts
Surplus of food provided trade which introduced wealth. Mbanza (capital city) was the main place for trade.
salt, fiber of palms, pottery, iron, copper, and ivory were traded and seashells were used as money currency.
Portuguese arrived, provided friendly relations with two empires but then they demanded trade be paid with human slaves which eventually weaken the Kongo Kingdom (about 1 million slaves were taken)
Social class defined by aristocracy (upper class), free people, and slaves.
Kongo people praised many gods and their shrine guardian Mani Kabunga. Once Portuguese came, they were converted to Christianity.
the Kongo Kingdom descended from Bantu. Six provinces with over 2 million people in the 14th century.
When a king died, a group of officials took over, elders, government officials, and aristocracy met and elected another leader. Which usually was the most powerful out of the king's sons. Their government was a democracy.
ARCHITECTURE
not much is known for their architectural art but there are many medieval African buildings, and sculptures around Kongo Kingdom.
Their buildings were made of wood, clay, and stone and their houses were straw huts.
The capital city was built of stone for protection against attacks.
