ContactwithOutsidersUnlike many of the other African Ethnic groups. the kingdom of the Kongo made contact with Europeans prior to the beginning of the slave trade . The Portuguese first came in contact with the Kongo in the late 1400's. While exploring the African coast to find a sea route to Asia, Diogo Cao a Portuguese explorer discovered the Kingdom of the Kongo. There seemed to be a distinct relationship with the Portuguese and the Kongo. The Portuguese decided that the area where the Kingdom of the Kongo was located was a potential area for gold. This was when a Portuguese ship's crew kidnapped Africans and brought them to Europe to gain information that might facilitate their interaction with the kingdom. The crew brought the Kongolese to Portugal to teach them christianity as well. It is unknown which motive was more important to the Portuguese.
About two years later, the Portuguese realized this was not the best approach to gain information. So, they decided to treat the Kongo as a "real civilization." The Portuguese offered them clothing ,tools, horses, and much more. Portuguese women intended to teach the Kongolese the virtues of Christian housekeeping. The king of the Kongo at the time Nzinga Nkuwu began to recognize their contact with the Portuguese as an opportunity to advance his own power. For that reason, he adopted their western ways and religion. In doing this the nobility saw the benefits of literacy, and sent their sons to missionary schools.From this point on, a clear relationship between Portugal and the Kingdom of the Kongo began to unfold. The Kongo trusted the Portuguese as well as other Europeans, because they believed them to be some sort of spiritual beings. The Kongo thought that the Europeans were "Gods of Fertility", so they greeted them as such. Because the Europeans were white, they resembled albinos, which the Kongo already believed had magical powers. The Portuguese also had weird ideas about the Kongo. They believed that if they traveled too far inland, the moon's rays would swell their heads.
The fact that the Portuguese helped to protect the Kongo against an internal rebellion also aided in the Kongo beginning to trust all Europeans. The European influence had such an effect on the Kongo, that the King was baptized soon after they arrived. The relationship between the Europeans and the Kongo continued to prosper, and ultimately led to the enslavement of the Kongolese and their decline in later years.
About two years later, the Portuguese realized this was not the best approach to gain information. So, they decided to treat the Kongo as a "real civilization." The Portuguese offered them clothing ,tools, horses, and much more. Portuguese women intended to teach the Kongolese the virtues of Christian housekeeping. The king of the Kongo at the time Nzinga Nkuwu began to recognize their contact with the Portuguese as an opportunity to advance his own power. For that reason, he adopted their western ways and religion. In doing this the nobility saw the benefits of literacy, and sent their sons to missionary schools.From this point on, a clear relationship between Portugal and the Kingdom of the Kongo began to unfold. The Kongo trusted the Portuguese as well as other Europeans, because they believed them to be some sort of spiritual beings. The Kongo thought that the Europeans were "Gods of Fertility", so they greeted them as such. Because the Europeans were white, they resembled albinos, which the Kongo already believed had magical powers. The Portuguese also had weird ideas about the Kongo. They believed that if they traveled too far inland, the moon's rays would swell their heads.
The fact that the Portuguese helped to protect the Kongo against an internal rebellion also aided in the Kongo beginning to trust all Europeans. The European influence had such an effect on the Kongo, that the King was baptized soon after they arrived. The relationship between the Europeans and the Kongo continued to prosper, and ultimately led to the enslavement of the Kongolese and their decline in later years.