Nsaku

The Nsaku were the ruling line of Mbata, a Bantu kingdom east of Mpemba Kasi along the Kwango River, whose founding ancestor is remembered as Nsaku Ne Vunda.

Around 1375 its chief Nsaku-Lau gave his daughter Lukeni Lua Sange in marriage to Nimi a Nzima of Mpemba Kasi; their son Lukeni lua Nimi became the first king of Kongo. Mbata's army was decisive in the conquest of the plateau kingdom of Mwene Kabunga.

Mbata entered the Kingdom of Kongo as a kingdom within the kingdom: its ruler was not appointed by the Manikongo but succeeded by matrilineal descent from Lukeni Lua Sange, and Mbata princes traditionally led Kongo's diplomacy with neighboring states. After the Kongo court adopted Catholicism and Portuguese customs, Mbata was styled the Duchy of Bambata and kept its privileged standing under the crown of Mbanza Kongo.