History:
In the 1600s the Mbunda moved southeast into Angola because the climate was not good in the Northeast. Their first migration route was led by King Mwene Chinguli Cha Nkonde. During their first migration they fought the Bushmen. The second migration led to new lands and settlements in the south. This migration was led by Queen (Vamwene) Kaamba. With her leadership they came across more pygmies and engaged in armed combat. Throughout the Mbunda’s migration into Angola, they have found that it was difficult to settle in tropical rainforests because there were so many tall trees and roots to clear for land and the wild plants taken over in places where they grew crops. This was not the only problem. They also found it troublesome how the ruminants that could not be domesticated, the lack of wild game and fish, the weather was too hot and humid, and lastly, they feared epidemics such as smallpox. Many have lost their loved ones due to these epidemics. After the migration, they finally set their first capital in Mithimoyi.
When the Mbunda were driven out of Angola, they entered the Lozi Kingdom. The Lozi Kingdom decided to let them stay and surround the borderlines so they can help keep out any intruders or enemies of the kingdom. The Mbunda played a big role in the military and economic development. When the Mbunda joined the Lozi Kingdom, they brought along bows and arrows, battleaxes, crops such as cassava, millet and yam, and medical and artistic skills. The Lozi Kingdom shortly fell apart after Mulambwa’s death.
In the 19th century, Mbunda caravans journeyed across the continent trading in slaves, ivory, wax and rubber. In 1911, they collapsed due to the widespread famine. After the Mbunda settled their leadership on the Ngola of the Ndongo people, the Portuguese took over the centralization in 1914. The Mbunda resisted getting colonized by the Portuguese which resulted in a war called “The Kolongongo War.” The Portuguese won because they had gunpowder, advanced technology and fought the Mbunda on horsebacks turning Mbundaland to Angola.. In 1961, the Angolan war of Liberation began because of the forced labor , heavy taxations and discriminations by the Portuguese. The Mbunda were taken and sold for exports in the 20th century. More than 3 million slaves have been exported to Brazil so in the late 20th century, they decided to supported Jonas Savimbi and the National Union for Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) guerrillas. Their economic history was mainly of violent contact with the Portuguese colonies. The Portuguese rule ended in 1975.
Mbunda Slavery during the Portuguese rule
When the Mbunda were driven out of Angola, they entered the Lozi Kingdom. The Lozi Kingdom decided to let them stay and surround the borderlines so they can help keep out any intruders or enemies of the kingdom. The Mbunda played a big role in the military and economic development. When the Mbunda joined the Lozi Kingdom, they brought along bows and arrows, battleaxes, crops such as cassava, millet and yam, and medical and artistic skills. The Lozi Kingdom shortly fell apart after Mulambwa’s death.
In the 19th century, Mbunda caravans journeyed across the continent trading in slaves, ivory, wax and rubber. In 1911, they collapsed due to the widespread famine. After the Mbunda settled their leadership on the Ngola of the Ndongo people, the Portuguese took over the centralization in 1914. The Mbunda resisted getting colonized by the Portuguese which resulted in a war called “The Kolongongo War.” The Portuguese won because they had gunpowder, advanced technology and fought the Mbunda on horsebacks turning Mbundaland to Angola.. In 1961, the Angolan war of Liberation began because of the forced labor , heavy taxations and discriminations by the Portuguese. The Mbunda were taken and sold for exports in the 20th century. More than 3 million slaves have been exported to Brazil so in the late 20th century, they decided to supported Jonas Savimbi and the National Union for Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) guerrillas. Their economic history was mainly of violent contact with the Portuguese colonies. The Portuguese rule ended in 1975.
Mbunda Slavery during the Portuguese rule