Pedro III of Kongo

Pedro III
Pedro III
Mwene Kongo
Reign	January – June 1669
Predecessor	Álvaro VIII
Successor	Álvaro IX
Dynasty	House of Kinlaza

Last updated January 06, 2024

Pedro III Nsimba Ntamba was a ruler of the Kingdom of Kongo during its tumultuous civil war period.

First rule

In 1669, Pedro III became King of Kongo. The Kongo Civil War had been well underway at this point, and the House of Kinlaza had chosen Pedro as its candidate. Though like many reigns during this period, his was short lived, lasting only until June 1669. He was then forced out of Kongo by the rival House of Kimpanzu, and fled to Lemba where he ruled in exile.

Attempts to regain control

While in exile, Pedro III still had a large amount of supporters, and in 1674, his forces returned to the capital of Kongo, São Salvador (or M'banza-Kongo). He or his agents then killed his usurper, Alfonso III of Kongo. However he was again forced out of the capital.^[2] In 1676 Pedro III once again invaded the capital, but the forces of Estêvão II of Soyo drove him out.

Sack of São Salvador

To advance his military standing, Pedro III began to recruit Yaka people as soldiers. These were mercenaries who had previously served Loanga and Great Makoko. Others of this group had been raiding Kongo for about 20 years, and were known to have practiced cannibalism.^[3]

In 1678, Pedro III returned to São Salvador with an army. At this point the capital was held by the Kimpanzu King Daniel I.^[1] In the ensuing battle, Pedro III killed Daniel I, and destroyed the city in the process. Afterwards, all claimants for the throne would reside in opposing mountain fortresses, namely Lemba, Kibangu, and Mbamba Luvota.

Assassination

In 1680, King Pedro III was still ruling Lemba, where he claimed the Kongo throne in opposition to the House of Kimpanzu partisans residing in Soyo's southern province of Luvota.^[1] Manuel de Nóbrega, brother of the slain King Daniel, swore vengeance and orchestrated a plot to kill Pedro III. Under the auspice of a truce, treacherously negotiated by the Prince of Soyo, Pedro III was lured into a trap expecting to make peace through marriage to the sister of Antonio II Baretta da Silva, the ruler of Soyo. Instead, Pedro III was killed. Later, it was alleged that Manuel himself had emerged from the Soyo wedding train dressed as a bride, and shot Pedro III to death before escaping. Although this story is likely a myth.^[1] This particular episode in Kongo's history would become one of the sticking points keeping the nobility from finding lasting peace.

Preceded by Álvaro VIII	Manikongo 1669	Succeeded by Álvaro IX

Preceded by Daniel I	Awenekongo of Lemba 1669-1680	Succeeded by João II

Preceded by Daniel I	Manikongo (Lemba Claimant) 1678-1680	Succeeded by João II

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Álvaro IX Mpanzu a Ntivila was a ruler of the Kingdom of Kongo during its civil war period. He ruled from June 1669 to 1670.

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References

1 2 3 4 Thornton, John K: "The Kongolese Saint Anthony: Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita and the Antonian Movement, 1684-1706", page 79. Cambridge University, 1998
↑ John K. Thornton, History of West Central Africa. p. 199
↑ John K. Thornton. History of West Central Africa. p. 201

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[Thornton,_John_K_page_79-1] 1 2 3 4 Thornton, John K: "The Kongolese Saint Anthony: Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita and the Antonian Movement, 1684-1706", page 79. Cambridge University, 1998

[2] John K. Thornton, History of West Central Africa. p. 199

[3] John K. Thornton. History of West Central Africa. p. 201

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v t e Rulers of the Kingdom of Kongo
Awenekongo of the Kilukeni kanda (1390–1567)	Lukeni lua Nimi Nanga of Kongo Nlaza of Kongo Nkuwu a Ntinu of Kongo João I of Kongo Afonso I of Kongo Pedro I of Kongo Diogo I Nkumbi a Mpudi Afonso II of Kongo Bernardo I of Kongo Henrique I of Kongo
Awenekongo of the Kwilu kanda (1567–1622)	Álvaro I of Kongo Álvaro II of Kongo Bernardo II of Kongo Álvaro III of Kongo
Awenekongo of the Nkanga a Mvika kanda (1622–1626)	Pedro II of Kongo Garcia I of Kongo
Mwenekongo of the Kwilu kanda (1626–1636)	Ambrósio I of Kongo Álvaro IV of Kongo
Awenekongo of the Kimpanzu kanda (1636)	Álvaro V of Kongo
Awenekongo of the Kinlaza kanda (1636–1665)	Álvaro VI of Kongo Garcia II of Kongo António I of Kongo
Civil War Awenekongo (1665–1678)	Afonso II of Kongo and Nkondo Álvaro VII of Kongo Álvaro VIII of Kongo Pedro III of Kongo Álvaro IX of Kongo Rafael I of Kongo Afonso III of Kongo Daniel I of Kongo
Post-Civil War states	Garcia III of Kibangu André I of Kibangu Manuel I of Kibangu Álvaro X of Kibangu Pedro IV of Kongo Pedro III of Kongo João II of Lemba Manuel II of Kongo
Awenekongo after the recapture of São Salvador (1709–1891)	Pedro IV of Kongo Manuel II of Kongo Garcia IV of Kongo Nicolau I of Kongo Afonso IV of Kongo António II of Kongo Sebastião I of Kongo "Pedro V" Álvaro XI of Kongo José I of Kongo Afonso V of Kongo Álvaro XII of Kongo Aleixo I of Kongo Joaquim I of Kongo Henrique II of Kongo Garcia V of Kongo André II of Kongo Henrique III of Kongo Álvaro XIII of Kongo Pedro V of Kongo
Awenekongo after 1881 vassalage treaty with Portugal (1891–1914)	Álvaro XIV of Kongo Henrique IV of Kongo Pedro VI of Kongo Manuel Nkomba of Kongo Manuel III of Kongo
Pretenders to the Kongo throne since 1914	Alvaro XV of Kongo Pedro VII of Kongo António III of Kongo Isabel Maria da Gama, Q of Kongo (regent) Pedro VIII of Kongo Isabel Maria da Gama of Kongo (regent)