Mbata

Mbata was a Bantu kingdom centred on Mbanza Mbata in the Kwango country. In 1337 its chief was Lau Nsaku of the Nsaku lineage.

According to Kongo tradition, Nimi a Nzima of Mpemba Kasi married the Mbata chief’s daughter Lukeni Lua Sange; their son became the first ruler of Kongo around 1375. Mbata joined the kingdom with hereditary rulers and a role in diplomacy. After Kongo adopted Catholicism in the 1490s, it became the Duchy of Bambata, retaining its chiefs’ privileges.