Lukeni lua Nimi

Lukeni lua Nimi (also Ntinu Nimi a Lukeni; circa 1380–1420) was the first king and founder of the Kingdom of Kongo Dia Ntotila. The name Nimi a Lukeni appeared in later oral traditions and some modern historians, notably Jean Cuvelier, popularized it.[1] He conquered the kingdom of Mwene.

Biography

He was the offspring of his father Nimi and the Mwene Mbata's daughter, according to traditions recorded by Giovanni Cavazzi da Montecuccolo in the mid 17th century. Although he probably ruled in the valley of the Kwilu River in modern day Democratic Republic of Congo, he is credited with conquering the region of modern day Mbanza Kongo, displacing a local ruler named Mwene Mpangala and building his capital there. He probably ruled in the late 14th century.

See also

References

  1. Thornton, John: "Elite Women in the Kingdom of Kongo: Historical Perspectives on Women's Political Power", page 445. The Journal of African History, Vol. 47, 2006; idem, "Origins and Early History of the Kingdom of Kongo, c 1350-1550," International Journal of African Historical Studies 34/1 (2001): 89-120
Preceded by
Nimi a Nzima
Manikongo
1390s
Succeeded by
Nanga