Political: The Kingdom was formed when 12 kanda formed an alliance and a rule was made where only they could choose the king/manikongo. Members of these 12 kanda then served as the Mwissikongo. Later, the manikongo had is own 'court', or household of people who were independent of the kanda and helped him rule - including 6 provinces, Mbama, Nsoyo, Nsundi, Mpanga, Mbata + Mpemba. Rival faction could develop between the kandas. Power centered in Mbanza Kongo - controlled an area of more than 100,000km2 + governed a population of more than 400,000 people. There was a range of administrative offices eg governships of provinces which were decided by the manikongo. Tensions grew with growing centralisation by the manikongo.