In the annals of African history, few women have demonstrated the fierce intelligence, political
acumen, and unwavering bravery of Queen Nzinga Mbande—also known as Queen Azinga. A towering figure of 17th-century Central Africa, Nzinga was more than just a monarch; she was a warrior, a strategist, a diplomat, and a defiant symbol of African resistance against colonial
domination.
As part of the Adesuwa Inspirational Women Spring Art Collection 2025, Queen Nzinga’s legacy is reborn in an arresting hyperrealist portrait by Melody Osagie. Exhibited among a lineup of women who have shaped world history, Nzinga stands apart—not just as a royal figure, but as a symbol of strength that transcends time and borders.
The Birth of a Leader
Born in 1583 into the royal family of the Ndongo Kingdom (in what is now modern-day Angola),
Nzinga was destined for greatness. Her father, King Kiluanji Kia Samba, recognized her keen
intellect and leadership abilities early on. She was given a strong education, trained in statecraft and warfare, and quickly became a trusted adviser to her brother, Mbandi, who later ascended to the throne.
Her name, Nzinga, is said to derive from the Kimbundu word kujinga, meaning “to twist or turn,” referencing the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck at birth—considered a spiritual sign of greatness among the Mbundu people. Indeed, Nzinga would become a woman who twisted the fates of nations and turned the tide against European imperialists.
A Diplomatic Genius in a Time of Chaos
The late 16th and early 17th centuries were marked by increasing Portuguese incursion into
Central Africa. Seeking slaves for the transatlantic trade and control over African territories, the Portuguese clashed frequently with the Ndongo and Matamba kingdoms.
When her brother struggled to deal with the Portuguese threat, Nzinga stepped in. In 1622, she was sent to negotiate peace with the Portuguese governor in Luanda. The meeting would become legendary. When the governor refused to offer her a chair, Nzinga commanded one of her attendants to kneel so she could sit on his back, asserting her status as an equal. This symbolic act set the tone for her reign—a woman who would kneel to no one.
Though she secured a temporary peace, the Portuguese quickly violated the terms. When her
brother died (under suspicious circumstances), Nzinga assumed the throne, first as regent and
later as queen, in defiance of a male-dominated tradition that questioned her right to rule.
Warrior, Ruler, Legend
Nzinga was not content with symbolic power. She led armies into battle, often dressed in warrior regalia, and developed intricate alliances with neighboring kingdoms and European
mercenaries. She is known to have personally trained her troops, commanded respect from
generals, and even used guerrilla tactics to resist Portuguese advances.
She moved her capital into the highlands, establishing a stronghold in Matamba, and
transformed it into a powerful, well-organized state that welcomed escaped slaves and rejected colonial rule. Her reign lasted for nearly four decades—an astonishing feat considering the constant military pressure from Portugal and rival African factions.
More than just a military leader, Nzinga was a skilled administrator who developed trade routes, reinforced state structures, and cleverly navigated shifting European allegiances, even
converting to Christianity (as Ana de Sousa) when it served her diplomatic goals.
Rewriting the Narrative of African Queenship
Queen Nzinga redefined what it meant to be a female ruler in precolonial Africa. She defied the
patriarchal norms of her time, not only ruling as a monarch but doing so with unprecedented
assertiveness. She was known to sit among male advisors and generals as an equal—sometimes even dressing in male attire to solidify her authority in political and military
matters.
Her personal court was fierce and unconventional. According to oral histories, she maintained a guard of women warriors and developed rituals that blended indigenous spirituality with political theatre, using culture as a form of psychological warfare and political consolidation.
In many ways, Nzinga prefigured later resistance leaders like Shaka Zulu and Samori Touré.
She was an early example of indigenous resistance to European imperialism—resistance that was not just physical, but deeply ideological and cultural.
A Legacy of Resistance and Empowerment
Queen Nzinga died in 1663 at the age of 80, a remarkable lifespan for a warrior queen in a time
of constant conflict. Upon her death, the Portuguese rejoiced, believing her resistance had ended. But her legacy lived on. It inspired future generations of anti-colonial leaders in Angola and across Africa, particularly during Angola’s 20th-century struggle for independence.
Her name became synonymous with national pride and liberation. Today, in Angola and beyond, she is revered as a national hero. Statues of her stand tall in Luanda. Schools, streets, and institutions bear her name. Her life is studied as a blueprint for leadership under oppression and resilience in the face of adversity.
Immortalised in Art
In the Adesuwa Inspirational Women Spring Art Collection 2025, Melody Osagie’s portrait of
Queen Nzinga captures the commanding presence and regal strength of this historic icon. Her gaze is fearless, her posture unyielding—an image that channels centuries of defiance, dignity, and vision.
The hyperrealism of the artwork is deliberate: every detail—from her ceremonial jewelry to the
hint of steel in her eyes—tells a story of leadership forged in fire. Presented in a gallery
surrounded by other extraordinary women, Nzinga’s image does more than pay homage—it
challenges viewers to reconsider the roles of African women in global history.
Why Queen Nzinga Matters Today
In an era where women continue to fight for equality, representation, and voice, Queen Nzinga’s story feels urgently relevant. She reminds us that African history is rich with examples of female leadership—not just in palaces, but on the battlefield, in negotiations, and in the hearts of their people.
For young girls across the diaspora, Nzinga is a symbol that power and femininity are not
mutually exclusive. She embodies the principle that resistance can be regal, and that leadership
doesn’t always come wrapped in tradition—it sometimes comes with a sword and a crown
forged by will.
Her inclusion in the Adesuwa Inspirational Women exhibition is not just a nod to the past, but a statement about the kind of future we envision—one where African women are not just
remembered but revered, not just included but centred.
Queen Nzinga was many things: a queen, a warrior, a strategist, a survivor. Her story
transcends history books; it lives on in art, memory, and inspiration. As her portrait stands
proudly at the Lambeth Archives in London during this year’s Adesuwa Inspirational Women
Spring Art Collection, it invites us all to reflect on the courage required to lead, the resilience
needed to resist, and the power of women who dare to rule.
She was born to twist history—and she did.
