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| Kingdom of Kongo Wene wa Kongo | |
|---|---|
| 1390–1914 | |
 Flag | |
| Capital | Nkumba a Ngudi |
| Common languages | Kikongo |
| Government | Elective monarchy |
The Kingdom of Kongo was a federation in central Africa. It consisted of the states of Congo, Kakongo, Loango, Ngoye, which were each ruled by an appointee of the king. Kings were appointed from the ruling families instead of inheriting their position and lacked absolute power.[1]
Economy
Slavery was widespread in the Kongo but was not a fully developed mode of production. Criminals, debtors, and prisoners of war were the source of slaves. Slaves could inherit property and could switch owners by causing damage to another free man besides their current owner. The economy also had some feudal features because the king controlled all land and received tribute from provincial chiefs.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sík Endre (1970). The History of Black Africa, vol. 1: 'The Peoples of Black Africa before the End of the 15th Century; The Bantu Peoples'. [PDF] Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó.