Warrior, diplomat, royal
African Queens: Njinga / Netflix, streaming now
ONE TO WATCH
Born into the royal family of Ndongo in c1583, Njinga Ana de Sousa Mbande is a key figure in the history of what's now Angola. An accomplished politician and military leader, she became monarch of the Ambundu kingdoms of Ndongo (1624-63) and, through conquest, Matamba (1631-63).
How did she rise to such heights? It's a story that, paradoxically, has much to do with Njinga never being expected to assume power. This meant her father, the monarch Kilombo, could lavish attention on a favourite daughter without running the risk of male heirs getting jealous. Njinga learnt how to wield a battle axe, she accompanied her father to official functions and, taught by Portuguese missionaries, she was able to read and write.
All this training
