Kasanje Kingdom

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The Kasanje Kingdom, also known as the Jaga Kingdom, (1620-1910) was a pre-colonial Central West African state founded in the 17th century. It was formed in 1620 by a mercenary band of Imbangala, which had deserted the Portuguese ranks. The state gets its name from the leader of the band, Kasanje, whom settled his followers on the upper Kwango River. The kingdom of Kasanje remained in a constant state of conflict with its neighbors, especially the kingdom of Matamba then ruled by queen Nzinga Mbande. The state was ruled by a warrior-king called the Jaga (not to be confused with the Jagas that invaded Kongo in the 16th century). The Imbangala state became a strong commercial center until being eclipsed by Ovimbundu trade routes in the 1850s. Kasanje was finally incorporated into Portuguese Angola in 1910-1911.