King Alfonso I Nzinga Mbemba Tells About his Reign over Kongo and the Slave Trade

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I am King Alfonso I, though my people also know me as Nzinga Mbemba. I was born around 1456 in the Kingdom of Kongo, located in what you now call central Africa. When I became king in 1509, I took on the great task of leading my people during a time of tremendous change. My reign was shaped by the arrival of the Portuguese, a relationship that brought both opportunity and hardship to my kingdom. I embraced Christianity, taking the name Alfonso, and worked to integrate European ways with our traditions. I believed this path could strengthen our kingdom and improve our people's lives. But this relationship with the Portuguese soon became a double-edged sword, particularly when it came to the issue of slavery.

Let me tell you about my faith, which was a cornerstone of my leadership. When Christian missionaries came to Kongo, I saw their teachings as a way to unite my people and establish stronger ties with Europe. I converted to Christianity and made it the official religion of Kongo. I built churches, studied the Bible, and even encouraged my sons to pursue education in Portugal. I thought this alliance would bring progress, but I quickly learned that not all intentions were good.

One of the most painful and challenging parts of my reign was the rise of the transatlantic slave trade. At first, we traded goods with the Portuguese—copper, ivory, and other items—but it wasn’t long before they demanded enslaved people in exchange. Slavery wasn’t unknown in our culture, but it was not like the brutal, dehumanizing form practiced by the Europeans. In our tradition, slavery often meant integration into our communities, not a lifetime of harsh bondage in foreign lands. But the Portuguese began to exploit our people on an unimaginable scale, capturing men, women, and children indiscriminately. Even nobles and free citizens were taken. The horrors of this trade broke my heart.

I wrote to King João III of Portugal, pleading with him to stop this practice. I asked for priests and teachers, not traders who came only to enslave my people. I warned him that the unchecked actions of the Portuguese were tearing my kingdom apart, sowing chaos and distrust among my people. Despite my efforts, my words often fell on deaf ears. The greed of the slave trade was too great for them to resist.

As king, I fought to protect my people and maintain the integrity of my kingdom, but the forces I faced were overwhelming. The Portuguese exploited divisions within Kongo, and the slave trade grew beyond my control. By the time I passed away in 1542, my kingdom had been forever changed. Yet, I hoped that my efforts to advocate for justice and protect my people would not be forgotten.

I want you to remember this: power, alliances, and progress come with responsibility. I learned that not all promises of friendship are made with good intentions. My story is one of faith, resilience, and a fight against injustice, even when the odds seemed impossible. It is a story I hope you carry with you as you consider the choices you make in your own lives and the responsibility you have to stand up for what is right.

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