This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (October 2024) |
Mwene Muji[a] was a polity around Lake Mai-Ndombe in the Congo Basin. Its 'empire' status is pending on further archaeological research.[1] It was of the Nunu people and the Ntote.[1]: 39 The first written record of Mwene Muji came in 1591 by Italian humanist Filippo Pigafetta.[1]: 30 It entered a severe decline in the 19th century and was surpassed by the Boma Kingdom, until Belgian conquest.
Mwene Muji | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| c. 1400–c. 1900 | |||||||||||||
 A map of the Kasai River watershed. Mwene Muji controlled the territory around the Lower Kasai, stretching from Lake Mai-Ndombe and Mushie to Idiofa and the Wamba River. | |||||||||||||
| Capital | Mushie | ||||||||||||
| Mwene Muji/Nimi a Maye | |||||||||||||
• c. 1400 | Maluma Biene | ||||||||||||
• c. 1900 | Muba | ||||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||||
• Established | c. 1400 | ||||||||||||
| Early 17th century | |||||||||||||
• Disestablished | c. 1900 | ||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
History
editMwene Muji was formed just after 1400 (going by genealogical records), and it likely expanded along the Lukenie, Kasai, Kamtsha, Kwilu, and Wamba rivers, without venturing much into the interior. It likely had a powerful riverine navy,[b] and dominated trade.[1]: 42–44 At their height, they may have included parts of the territory of the Kuba and Pende kingdoms. The Boma Kingdom and Yaka Kingdom broke free in the early 17th century.[1]: 46 Boma took over Mwene Muji's north, while the Yaka took over some southern domains, weakening Mwene Muji.[2] The Jaga who invaded the Kingdom of Kongo in the 16th century are thought to have originated from a province of Mwene Muji.[1]: 32–33
When the steamers of the Congo Free State came into use, Mwene Muji lost their naval supremacy and thus their dominance over trade. Deadly epidemics swept the region in the 1890s, dispersing the population. The Boma Kingdom became the main power in the region.[1]: 36 The region was conquered by the Belgians in the early 20th century. By the time the Belgians began collecting traditions, the capital Mushie appeared to be a small fishing village and the grand claims from its ruler Muba of them once having imperial status were swept aside.[1]: 46
Boma oral tradition
editBoma oral traditions collected in 1926 account how the Boma came to the region fleeing their elders, who were forcing them to work in mines, following leaders. Their elders, the Ngeli, then returned to conquer them. The 'leaders' are thought to be the Ntote, and representing the Boma kings (Ngeliboma) as elders gives them legitimacy.[1]: 38
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i Thornton, John (2024). "Mwene Muji: A Medieval Empire in Central Africa?". The Journal of African History. 65 (1): 30–46. doi:10.1017/S0021853724000161. ISSN 0021-8537.
- ^ Thornton, John K. (2022-09-19). "New Light on the "Jaga" Episode in the History of Kongo (1567-1608)". Cahiers d'études africaines. 247 (3): 441–459. doi:10.4000/etudesafricaines.38894. ISSN 0008-0055.