The Strange Adventures of Andrew Battell, of Leigh, in Angola and the Adjoining RegionsBattell, Andrew
History
The Strange Adventures of Andrew Battell, of Leigh, in Angola and the Adjoining Regions
Battell, Andrew
Angola -- Discovery and exploration; Congo (Democratic Republic) -- Discovery and exploration
Cavazzi seems to go further back, for he tells us that Zimbo, who was
the first chief of the Jaga (Aiacca), invaded Kongo, whilst one of his
chiefs, “Dongij” (Ndongo?), invaded Matamba, and that the bloody
“kichile,”[431] or customs, were introduced by Musasa the wife, and
Tembandumba the daughter, of this “Dongij.” The daughter married
Kulambo, whom she poisoned; he was succeeded by Kinguri, who was killed
during an invasion of Angola, Kulachimbo a great warrior, Kassanje, and
many others; the last of whom, Kassanje ka nkinguri, was baptised in
1657.[432]
I confess my inability to evolve the truth out of these conflicting
statements, and can only suppose that the title of “Jaga” was assumed by
the leaders of predatory hordes of very diverse origin, in order to
inspire terror in the hearts of peaceful tribes; just, as in more recent
times, certain tribes in East Africa pretend to be Zulu for a like
reason.
D. FRANCISCO AND D. JERONYMO D’ALMEIDA, 1592-1594.
The new Governor, D. Francisco d’Almeida, arrived at S. Paulo, on June
24th, 1592, accompanied by four hundred foot-soldiers and fifty African
horse, all picked men. Among the volunteers attending him were his
brother, D. Jeronymo, Luis Lopez de Sequeira and Balthasar Rebello de
Aragõa;[433] and perhaps also Domingos d’Abreu de Brito, who, in a
“Summario e descripção do Reino de Angola,” presented to King Philip I,
proposed an expedition across Africa, and the protection of the road to
be opened by a chain of forts.[434]
The new Governor, immediately on his arrival, found himself face to face
with a religious difficulty. The Jesuits, ever since the days of Dias,
expected to be consulted in all government business. They desired to be
appointed “preceptors” (amos) of the native chiefs, their aim being
evidently to create a theocratic government, such as they established
subsequently in Paraguay. They “used their spiritual influence to
induce the conquered sobas to refuse obedience to the civil powers;” and
when d’Almeida made use of the authority conferred upon him at Madrid in
order to crush this “nascent theocracy,” he was excommunicated.[435] He
certainly was unequal to cope with these domineering priests.
Disheartened, he threw up a charge to which he felt unequal, and took
ship for Brazil (April 8th, 1593).[436]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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