1
00:00:10,760 --> 00:00:13,880
Centuries ago,
in West Central Africa...
2
00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:17,680
...where kingdoms rose and fell,
3
00:00:20,120 --> 00:00:23,040
lived a woman destined to lead.
4
00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:25,440
-A warrior...
5
00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:26,960
...a queen,
6
00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:28,920
an unparalleled force.
7
00:00:30,960 --> 00:00:32,200
Her name...
8
00:00:33,160 --> 00:00:34,040
Njinga.
9
00:00:38,880 --> 00:00:41,880
We are a people
born running from extinction.
10
00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:48,040
Born into an era of darkness,
11
00:00:48,680 --> 00:00:49,840
in a time of blood...
12
00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:52,760
and shifting sands.
13
00:00:53,480 --> 00:00:56,560
When slavery threatened
to decimate a continent.
14
00:00:57,800 --> 00:01:00,560
I want the Portuguese
off my land.
15
00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:02,400
Every last one of them.
16
00:01:06,760 --> 00:01:09,280
She fearlessly defended her kingdom
17
00:01:09,280 --> 00:01:11,280
against European power.
18
00:01:12,200 --> 00:01:14,120
Njinga!
19
00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:21,560
Rising to become a beacon of light
for her people.
20
00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:28,640
Queen Njinga's legacy
echoes throughout Africa to this day.
21
00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:33,600
It's time we all come to know her name.
22
00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:37,520
All hail Queen Njinga!
23
00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:43,520
Njinga! Njinga! Njinga! Njinga! Njinga!
24
00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:22,320
You ready?
25
00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:23,640
Are you ready?
26
00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:28,480
Don't think I'm gonna take it easy on you
just because your father is watching.
27
00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:31,120
I don't expect you to.
28
00:02:31,120 --> 00:02:32,400
Hey.
29
00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:40,520
{\an8}Princess Njinga is born
and grew up in a time
30
00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:43,920
{\an8}where her father, the King,
is already struggling
31
00:02:43,920 --> 00:02:46,760
with the conflict with the Portuguese
32
00:02:46,760 --> 00:02:48,720
that are coming in the land
and taking people.
33
00:02:53,880 --> 00:02:56,920
{\an8}The Portuguese have already been
in Ndongo for 50 years.
34
00:02:57,680 --> 00:02:59,880
And their mission
is really twofold.
35
00:02:59,880 --> 00:03:02,560
One is to Christianize the people there,
36
00:03:02,560 --> 00:03:07,440
{\an8}and the other is to really expand
the territory of the King of Portugal.
37
00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:12,760
The Portuguese are
the first global maritime superpower
38
00:03:13,440 --> 00:03:16,000
and have colonies across the world.
39
00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:18,720
Their largest is in Brazil.
40
00:03:20,520 --> 00:03:24,120
Where they add to their wealth
by building huge sugar plantations.
41
00:03:25,200 --> 00:03:28,200
The Portuguese need people
to work on these plantations,
42
00:03:28,760 --> 00:03:32,080
{\an8}so they begin capturing people
from West and Central Africa
43
00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:33,920
to work as slave labor.
44
00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:45,720
In Ndongo,
they call the King, the Ngola.
45
00:03:46,520 --> 00:03:48,520
At this moment, he's under pressure
46
00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:50,920
to protect his kingdom
from the Portuguese.
47
00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:54,280
He has to prepare
his oldest daughter Njinga
48
00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:55,880
for the war that lies ahead.
49
00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:03,040
So, he's exposing her
to the craft of warfare,
50
00:04:03,040 --> 00:04:04,080
how to fight.
51
00:04:05,400 --> 00:04:08,120
{\an8}Using his soldiers as her practice.
52
00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:05,480
An inch left and you would have hit me.
53
00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:06,920
Never.
54
00:05:08,640 --> 00:05:09,680
Oh.
55
00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:14,720
As a princess,
Njinga has female attendants.
56
00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:18,240
Some of these are military companions
who train alongside her.
57
00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:22,600
But it's still quite unusual at this time
for women to have an active military role.
58
00:05:23,920 --> 00:05:26,040
- I depend on you too much.
- Hmm.
59
00:05:26,040 --> 00:05:27,040
Thank God.
60
00:05:30,280 --> 00:05:32,160
- You've slowed your technique.
- Eh--
61
00:05:33,400 --> 00:05:38,000
That's because the race
isn't always given to the swift.
62
00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:39,320
Right, Ndambi?
63
00:05:41,800 --> 00:05:43,880
- Don't you have somewhere to be?
64
00:05:43,880 --> 00:05:45,280
- Come, walk with me.
- Mm.
65
00:05:45,280 --> 00:05:47,480
- Hm. Mm.
66
00:05:53,200 --> 00:05:56,960
Ndongo is located in what is now Angola
67
00:05:56,960 --> 00:05:58,280
in West Central Africa.
68
00:05:59,600 --> 00:06:03,160
In 1617,
Ndongo is one of the biggest
69
00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:06,600
and most important kingdoms at this time.
70
00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:10,120
It has a population
of about 100,000 to 200,000.
71
00:06:10,920 --> 00:06:13,600
The kingdom is centered around Kabasa,
72
00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:16,320
which is the capital
and the home of the royal family.
73
00:06:37,680 --> 00:06:41,400
Ndongo is a very sophisticated society.
74
00:06:43,240 --> 00:06:46,800
We have a tendency to think
of the continent of Africa
75
00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:50,040
as being very primitive
before Europeans get there.
76
00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:52,440
And that's just not true.
77
00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:56,240
There's an active trade within Ndongo.
78
00:06:57,000 --> 00:06:58,880
It's territorially expansive,
79
00:06:59,360 --> 00:07:00,640
and it's militarily powerful.
80
00:07:00,640 --> 00:07:01,600
People don't get it.
81
00:07:01,600 --> 00:07:04,080
Everyone thinks war is about speed,
82
00:07:04,080 --> 00:07:06,760
but precision and decision are key.
83
00:07:06,760 --> 00:07:08,560
You must read the battlefield.
84
00:07:10,960 --> 00:07:14,200
Funji is the youngest
of the King's three daughters.
85
00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:17,600
As royal princesses,
they are revered and respected in Kabasa.
86
00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:19,320
Read the battlefield and,
87
00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:21,280
and every single detail matters.
88
00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:24,440
You have to be prepared to strike
from a disadvantaged position...
89
00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:30,080
So you still won't introduce yourself?
90
00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:32,040
{\an8}I'm not as forward as you.
91
00:07:34,400 --> 00:07:36,520
Funji, you are the daughter of a king.
92
00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:38,560
He will be lucky to have you.
93
00:07:39,200 --> 00:07:40,280
- Come on, I'm late
94
00:07:40,280 --> 00:07:43,360
- for the council meeting.
- Oh, please. Please?
95
00:07:45,520 --> 00:07:48,600
We're putting that down, and we are going.
96
00:07:49,560 --> 00:07:52,280
- Thank you very much.
97
00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:09,120
If the weakest in this kingdom
were running our kingdom...
98
00:08:10,320 --> 00:08:13,240
The structure of society
in Ndongo goes like this.
99
00:08:13,800 --> 00:08:15,960
You have the ruler at the top,
100
00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:20,440
and then you have the sobas,
who are essentially nobles, just below.
101
00:08:21,960 --> 00:08:25,400
Njinga's father
is facing a difficult time
102
00:08:25,400 --> 00:08:28,560
because there are men all around him
that are vying for power.
103
00:08:30,800 --> 00:08:35,800
Mbande, Njinga's brother,
is complex and ambitious.
104
00:08:36,440 --> 00:08:40,799
You get a sense that he really wants
to prove himself as an effective leader.
105
00:08:41,520 --> 00:08:46,520
Mbande knew
that it was the half brother, Kiluanje,
106
00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:50,080
who was expected to be the next Ngola,
107
00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:53,000
{\an8}as the oldest son of the current king.
108
00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:55,840
We have to strategize.
109
00:08:55,840 --> 00:08:58,680
We have to sit together as one.
110
00:08:58,680 --> 00:09:00,600
Strategy is for games.
111
00:09:00,600 --> 00:09:01,960
Strength is for war.
112
00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:06,520
At this time,
the Portuguese have come onto the scene.
113
00:09:06,520 --> 00:09:11,080
They've exploited some of the divisions
and rivalries between the sobas.
114
00:09:11,720 --> 00:09:14,720
And although many sobas
support Njinga's father,
115
00:09:14,720 --> 00:09:17,480
there's one soba in the north,
Soba Kavulo,
116
00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:19,720
who is leading a rebellion
against the King.
117
00:09:21,040 --> 00:09:22,160
My King...
118
00:09:23,320 --> 00:09:25,760
the area is crawling
with people loyal to that traitor,
119
00:09:25,760 --> 00:09:26,760
Soba Kavulo.
120
00:09:27,560 --> 00:09:30,200
The Lucalla Pass
is the only way for our warriors.
121
00:09:30,840 --> 00:09:32,440
They will secure the ravine.
122
00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:36,160
And they will make a pathway
for our besieged men
123
00:09:36,160 --> 00:09:37,920
and shore up their numbers.
124
00:09:37,920 --> 00:09:39,120
Perfect.
125
00:09:39,120 --> 00:09:40,920
This war will be over in three days.
126
00:09:40,920 --> 00:09:44,040
The battle will be won,
but the war will rage on
127
00:09:44,040 --> 00:09:46,120
if Father doesn't accompany the men
128
00:09:46,120 --> 00:09:48,040
and meet the local people
129
00:09:48,040 --> 00:09:50,720
and remind them why you're their king.
130
00:09:52,400 --> 00:09:54,960
I know your time at court
has been limited,
131
00:09:54,960 --> 00:09:56,960
but your loyalty shouldn't be.
132
00:09:56,960 --> 00:09:59,400
The King doesn't need
to remind anyone
133
00:09:59,400 --> 00:10:01,320
why he is king, brother.
134
00:10:03,400 --> 00:10:04,720
For once I agree with Mbande.
135
00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:06,840
{\an8}Father shouldn't lead this battle.
136
00:10:08,240 --> 00:10:10,880
My loyalty is unquestionable,
137
00:10:10,880 --> 00:10:13,400
- little brother.
138
00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:16,920
All I'm trying to say
is let us not ignore the fact
139
00:10:16,920 --> 00:10:19,200
that the King is under threat.
140
00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:21,880
The King is always under threat.
141
00:10:21,880 --> 00:10:23,040
Huh?
142
00:10:23,040 --> 00:10:26,240
So let the hawkers and drunkards
gossip about that
143
00:10:26,240 --> 00:10:28,200
while we focus on the immediate problem,
144
00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:30,240
Soba Kavulo.
145
00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:32,280
If I may, My King.
146
00:10:33,400 --> 00:10:34,800
The prince is right.
147
00:10:34,800 --> 00:10:36,000
Of course, I am.
148
00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:41,560
Kiluanje's instinct to do everything
we can to protect the King
149
00:10:41,560 --> 00:10:42,840
is important.
150
00:10:45,080 --> 00:10:48,440
Around the Ngola
are a range of advisers,
151
00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:51,800
and one of the most important ones
is the tendala.
152
00:10:52,840 --> 00:10:55,400
He is essentially a captive slave.
153
00:10:55,400 --> 00:10:59,160
In Ndongo,
people who had been captured in wars...
154
00:10:59,920 --> 00:11:03,120
could rise to a certain rank.
155
00:11:05,280 --> 00:11:08,560
You and I have seen many wars, my friend.
156
00:11:08,560 --> 00:11:11,320
Yes, as king and captive.
157
00:11:11,320 --> 00:11:13,040
And now as friends.
158
00:11:13,040 --> 00:11:13,960
Yes.
159
00:11:15,880 --> 00:11:19,960
You know, only a fool
thinks he can outlive death.
160
00:11:21,400 --> 00:11:23,120
But we can keep trying.
161
00:11:31,600 --> 00:11:32,560
Njinga.
162
00:11:37,080 --> 00:11:38,800
You have anything to add?
163
00:11:41,920 --> 00:11:46,480
I'm wondering why we keep chasing
the Portuguese from the back
164
00:11:46,480 --> 00:11:48,080
instead of meeting them head-on.
165
00:11:48,080 --> 00:11:50,920
Njinga, the Portuguese
are not the issue here.
166
00:11:50,920 --> 00:11:52,600
The Portuguese
are always the issue, brother.
167
00:11:53,320 --> 00:11:55,280
Who do you think is fueling Kavulo's fire?
168
00:11:56,480 --> 00:11:59,800
{\an8}Who do you think
is making our people question the King?
169
00:12:00,600 --> 00:12:03,120
Njinga learns
from the royal court diplomacy
170
00:12:03,120 --> 00:12:05,040
and the politics of the wider region.
171
00:12:05,960 --> 00:12:07,560
But it's a male-dominated world.
172
00:12:09,080 --> 00:12:13,120
And so her presence there
could cause resentment among her brothers.
173
00:12:14,440 --> 00:12:16,400
Going after this soba...
174
00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:20,520
is like fighting the shadow,
175
00:12:21,320 --> 00:12:23,040
not the man himself.
176
00:12:34,680 --> 00:12:37,760
{\an8}The Portuguese are looking
for African captives
177
00:12:37,760 --> 00:12:38,960
{\an8}one way or the other.
178
00:12:39,560 --> 00:12:42,960
So they are really determined
to take over the kingdom of Ndongo.
179
00:12:45,200 --> 00:12:48,840
The Portuguese settle on Luanda
as a base for slaving operations,
180
00:12:48,840 --> 00:12:54,120
because the journey from Luanda
to the coast of Brazil is actually shorter
181
00:12:54,120 --> 00:12:57,160
than from many other places
in West Central Africa.
182
00:12:59,240 --> 00:13:02,280
So it becomes
a very attractive place for them
183
00:13:02,280 --> 00:13:04,440
to begin their violent slaving operations.
184
00:13:06,880 --> 00:13:12,120
The Portuguese with their
never-ending thirst for more people.
185
00:13:17,840 --> 00:13:21,240
They never are satisfied
with the quantity of people they have.
186
00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:25,280
It's an ongoing trade,
so they have to continue feeding it.
187
00:13:51,680 --> 00:13:52,960
What do the ancestors say?
188
00:13:59,680 --> 00:14:00,760
My King.
189
00:14:19,720 --> 00:14:22,760
The nganga is basically
the spiritual adviser.
190
00:14:22,760 --> 00:14:26,720
As an African queen or female king myself,
191
00:14:27,520 --> 00:14:31,840
I have to consult
with my spiritual adviser quite often
192
00:14:31,840 --> 00:14:36,920
because we cannot speak
only from our own voice.
193
00:14:36,920 --> 00:14:38,440
We are representing
194
00:14:38,440 --> 00:14:40,640
the voice of the ancestors.
195
00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:42,760
So the King, the Ngola,
196
00:14:42,760 --> 00:14:45,520
will always go to the nganga
197
00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:48,920
to make sure
that any decision that is taken,
198
00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:52,160
it's for the benefit
and for the edification
199
00:14:52,160 --> 00:14:54,400
of the people and the kingdom.
200
00:15:10,800 --> 00:15:16,360
{\an8}The day will end
with the King still on his throne.
201
00:15:22,680 --> 00:15:25,280
The ancestors have spoken.
202
00:15:41,080 --> 00:15:43,400
Njinga's not only a warrior
and a diplomat,
203
00:15:43,400 --> 00:15:46,640
but at this time,
she's also the mother to a young son.
204
00:15:50,960 --> 00:15:54,560
Mmm, you are too besotted with that one.
205
00:15:55,480 --> 00:15:56,800
I know.
206
00:16:00,840 --> 00:16:02,760
{\an8}You haven't mentioned the council meeting.
207
00:16:03,560 --> 00:16:05,680
{\an8}Uh, what's there to mention?
208
00:16:06,240 --> 00:16:09,800
They insist on fighting each other
instead of the Portuguese.
209
00:16:09,800 --> 00:16:10,920
Mbande and Kiluanje?
210
00:16:10,920 --> 00:16:11,920
Who else?
211
00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:14,120
They're just used to fighting.
212
00:16:14,120 --> 00:16:15,360
It's easy for them.
213
00:16:16,280 --> 00:16:20,000
The Portuguese are
a different kind of fire.
214
00:16:20,560 --> 00:16:23,240
Well, it's a fire we need to get used to
and quick.
215
00:16:24,880 --> 00:16:26,280
Before it consumes us all.
216
00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:30,560
Instead, placing Father in harm's way
and for what?
217
00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:36,320
{\an8}A useless soba who'd rather align
with the Portuguese than his own people?
218
00:16:38,440 --> 00:16:39,760
I say let him do it.
219
00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:43,640
It's only a matter of time
before the Portuguese dispose of him. Ow!
220
00:16:43,640 --> 00:16:45,160
He bit me!
221
00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:51,080
Kambu is the sister
in between Funji and Njinga.
222
00:16:51,080 --> 00:16:54,400
You get the sense
that she really supports her sister.
223
00:16:54,400 --> 00:16:55,840
- He's done.
224
00:16:56,600 --> 00:16:57,720
- Give him to me.
- Mmm.
225
00:16:58,880 --> 00:17:00,440
- Bring him back.
226
00:17:02,920 --> 00:17:04,120
In an hour.
227
00:17:04,760 --> 00:17:05,640
Hmm?
228
00:17:06,480 --> 00:17:07,600
- Kambu.
- Mm.
229
00:17:07,600 --> 00:17:09,119
- Mm-hm.
- Kambu.
230
00:17:09,119 --> 00:17:10,280
- Ah--
231
00:17:28,760 --> 00:17:33,240
So Njinga's status meant
she was able to gather around her
232
00:17:33,240 --> 00:17:35,200
a, a group of concubines
233
00:17:35,200 --> 00:17:37,080
that she chose herself.
234
00:17:43,800 --> 00:17:46,280
There are different cultures in Africa
235
00:17:46,280 --> 00:17:50,720
where women can have different partners.
236
00:17:56,640 --> 00:18:00,600
Njinga's favorite concubine
is a man by the name of Kia Ituxi.
237
00:18:03,720 --> 00:18:07,400
Kia Ituxi is the father of her child.
238
00:18:07,400 --> 00:18:11,120
And they have
this really special relationship.
239
00:18:12,320 --> 00:18:15,600
And life for her,
for the most part, is pretty good.
240
00:18:33,240 --> 00:18:34,960
Njinga's father was told
241
00:18:34,960 --> 00:18:37,080
that one of the sobas
has risen against him.
242
00:18:37,800 --> 00:18:41,200
So he decides to go there
and show how powerful he is.
243
00:18:44,520 --> 00:18:46,000
Please allow me to come with you.
244
00:18:46,720 --> 00:18:48,640
You are right
where I need you to be.
245
00:18:52,920 --> 00:18:53,880
You're right, you know?
246
00:18:54,960 --> 00:18:57,520
The Portuguese are gnawing at us,
247
00:18:58,240 --> 00:19:01,720
picking away at the skin
until they get to the bone.
248
00:19:02,760 --> 00:19:05,320
And that, too, they will take.
249
00:19:05,920 --> 00:19:07,880
It'll be like we never existed.
250
00:19:08,720 --> 00:19:10,560
It won't come to that.
251
00:19:13,600 --> 00:19:15,560
What would you do if you were in my place?
252
00:19:19,480 --> 00:19:21,680
I would find a way to unite the kingdom.
253
00:19:21,680 --> 00:19:23,400
Use all our might
254
00:19:23,400 --> 00:19:26,480
to drive the Portuguese back
to where they came from and...
255
00:19:26,480 --> 00:19:27,520
And?
256
00:19:27,520 --> 00:19:29,000
Speak freely, my daughter.
257
00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:31,160
And I would not go to battle today.
258
00:19:32,680 --> 00:19:34,600
You say that like I have a choice.
259
00:19:35,800 --> 00:19:38,840
You do not know men and their pride.
260
00:19:40,680 --> 00:19:43,840
Then again, you may be Ndongo's only hope.
261
00:19:45,760 --> 00:19:47,160
With a woman on the throne...
262
00:19:48,320 --> 00:19:50,360
there might be less blood spilled.
263
00:19:54,960 --> 00:19:55,880
Water.
264
00:19:57,880 --> 00:19:59,000
You never carry enough.
265
00:20:08,720 --> 00:20:10,840
Keep one eye on your brothers
266
00:20:10,840 --> 00:20:12,400
and the other on your sisters.
267
00:20:25,160 --> 00:20:27,320
You wish you were going with him,
don't you?
268
00:20:27,320 --> 00:20:28,440
Yes.
269
00:20:29,240 --> 00:20:31,520
- Don't you?
- No.
270
00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:34,880
He prefers you at his side, not me.
271
00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:38,400
My King?
272
00:21:38,400 --> 00:21:39,800
My King?
273
00:21:40,600 --> 00:21:41,640
- My King,
274
00:21:41,640 --> 00:21:42,560
where are you?
275
00:21:42,560 --> 00:21:45,640
Ngola? Ngola?
276
00:21:53,760 --> 00:21:55,760
It's very likely
that one of his own men
277
00:21:55,760 --> 00:21:57,920
separated the King from his army
278
00:21:57,920 --> 00:22:01,240
in order to murder him on behalf
of the sobas who opposed him.
279
00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:23,600
No!
280
00:22:29,480 --> 00:22:32,080
Now, without Njinga's father,
281
00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:33,680
who is going to rule?
282
00:22:36,480 --> 00:22:38,800
Look what they did to your King!
283
00:22:40,440 --> 00:22:43,880
If we can't trust our own men,
who can we trust?
284
00:22:45,640 --> 00:22:49,040
It looks like the danger wasn't out
in the field as you stated, brother,
285
00:22:49,880 --> 00:22:51,360
but in our own home!
286
00:22:53,880 --> 00:22:54,720
Tendala!
287
00:22:55,720 --> 00:22:57,120
Where is the general?
288
00:22:57,120 --> 00:22:58,760
He did not return.
289
00:22:58,760 --> 00:23:00,320
Then bring him to me!
290
00:23:00,880 --> 00:23:05,400
I want those responsible
for this at my feet by sundown!
291
00:23:05,400 --> 00:23:06,680
No, brother.
292
00:23:08,240 --> 00:23:09,240
What?
293
00:23:12,760 --> 00:23:15,040
They'll have reached their masters by now.
294
00:23:17,880 --> 00:23:20,320
Leave them there.
295
00:23:22,040 --> 00:23:25,600
Let them feel safe,
296
00:23:26,240 --> 00:23:27,400
marry...
297
00:23:28,400 --> 00:23:29,680
bed their wives...
298
00:23:29,680 --> 00:23:31,160
...have heirs.
299
00:23:31,160 --> 00:23:32,760
And then,
300
00:23:34,240 --> 00:23:37,160
when they think they have won
301
00:23:37,160 --> 00:23:39,240
and the ancestors decree it,
302
00:23:39,240 --> 00:23:41,080
we will find them
303
00:23:41,080 --> 00:23:44,400
and we will strike them dead.
304
00:23:45,240 --> 00:23:50,520
We will wipe out their whole lives,
305
00:23:51,080 --> 00:23:53,880
until their bloodlines are no more!
306
00:23:57,800 --> 00:24:01,440
Tendala,
send word of my father's death
307
00:24:01,440 --> 00:24:02,920
and convene the council.
308
00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:28,200
He's not here, you know.
309
00:24:30,200 --> 00:24:32,360
Seeing that he is with the ancestors.
310
00:24:37,000 --> 00:24:43,720
Why did you tell him the day would end
with him still on his throne?
311
00:24:46,680 --> 00:24:49,480
Isn't he still on this throne?
312
00:24:49,480 --> 00:24:50,800
You know what I mean.
313
00:24:59,360 --> 00:25:03,520
"Only a fool thinks he can outlive death."
314
00:25:04,920 --> 00:25:06,640
Those were your father's words.
315
00:25:07,320 --> 00:25:10,280
He understood what the ancestors meant.
316
00:25:13,120 --> 00:25:16,120
He always understood
the meaning behind words.
317
00:25:18,080 --> 00:25:20,040
He called me Ndongo's hope.
318
00:25:22,320 --> 00:25:23,800
What did he mean?
319
00:25:23,800 --> 00:25:25,120
Oh, child.
320
00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:27,600
Don't act like you don't know.
321
00:25:28,880 --> 00:25:30,680
You were too close to him not to.
322
00:25:36,040 --> 00:25:37,400
It's one thing to know.
323
00:25:38,240 --> 00:25:40,960
It's another thing
convincing everyone else.
324
00:25:44,160 --> 00:25:47,280
Njinga is devastated,
325
00:25:47,280 --> 00:25:51,720
as any daughter would be to lose a father.
326
00:25:51,720 --> 00:25:54,080
But here, it's not just losing a father.
327
00:25:54,080 --> 00:25:56,400
It's losing the King.
328
00:25:57,360 --> 00:26:00,240
It throws
a lot of things into question,
329
00:26:00,240 --> 00:26:04,480
and it's Mbande who feels
as though he's the rightful heir.
330
00:26:05,960 --> 00:26:11,440
But because he was not the son
of the main wife of the former Ngola,
331
00:26:11,440 --> 00:26:14,200
his claim to the throne was less strong.
332
00:26:15,480 --> 00:26:18,000
There's no clear line
of succession.
333
00:26:18,000 --> 00:26:19,920
So he orders a series
334
00:26:19,920 --> 00:26:21,440
of political assassinations
335
00:26:21,440 --> 00:26:24,160
to rid himself of rivals
336
00:26:25,080 --> 00:26:26,160
Kiluanje's son...
337
00:26:27,840 --> 00:26:29,080
and all his heirs.
338
00:26:32,720 --> 00:26:34,560
There must be no threat to my throne.
339
00:26:48,880 --> 00:26:51,080
Get out! Do you know where you are?
340
00:27:11,640 --> 00:27:15,480
Njinga's son,
who is a child, an infant,
341
00:27:15,480 --> 00:27:17,200
is murdered by Mbande
342
00:27:17,760 --> 00:27:22,800
because he sees this child
as a threat to his power.
343
00:27:41,440 --> 00:27:43,040
I did what must be done.
344
00:27:43,960 --> 00:27:45,360
Then why did you call for me?
345
00:27:46,480 --> 00:27:48,120
Because I'm unsure.
346
00:27:48,120 --> 00:27:49,320
Of what?
347
00:27:51,000 --> 00:27:52,120
The throne?
348
00:27:53,560 --> 00:27:54,920
Or what you did to get it?
349
00:27:57,080 --> 00:28:01,200
I cannot absolve you
of the choice that you made.
350
00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:02,640
It was yours to make.
351
00:28:03,240 --> 00:28:04,600
But I'll tell you this.
352
00:28:06,280 --> 00:28:08,920
A stabilized throne means nothing
353
00:28:08,920 --> 00:28:10,760
without a stable king.
354
00:28:11,640 --> 00:28:13,120
So find your feet.
355
00:28:17,320 --> 00:28:19,800
This is a crucial moment
for Mbande
356
00:28:20,440 --> 00:28:23,520
because he wants to ensure
his position on the throne.
357
00:28:26,000 --> 00:28:28,760
Once you're a king,
you're not a normal person
358
00:28:28,760 --> 00:28:30,920
who has to obey the social rule.
359
00:28:31,920 --> 00:28:36,040
So in murdering his potential opponents...
360
00:28:37,160 --> 00:28:39,880
he acts as a king already.
361
00:28:52,120 --> 00:28:53,400
Where am I?
362
00:28:56,080 --> 00:28:57,720
Njinga.
363
00:29:00,440 --> 00:29:03,120
Mbande doesn't kill Njinga
and her sisters.
364
00:29:03,800 --> 00:29:05,680
Njinga was popular,
365
00:29:05,680 --> 00:29:09,360
and perhaps he felt he could rid her
of any potential heirs,
366
00:29:09,360 --> 00:29:10,480
but also
367
00:29:10,480 --> 00:29:13,240
make her a political asset to himself.
368
00:29:14,280 --> 00:29:15,360
Where's my son?
369
00:29:20,280 --> 00:29:21,440
Where is my son?
370
00:29:22,760 --> 00:29:23,920
Mbande.
371
00:29:27,080 --> 00:29:29,720
Get... me...
372
00:29:30,480 --> 00:29:32,000
my battle ax.
373
00:29:34,440 --> 00:29:35,960
- Hold her.
374
00:29:35,960 --> 00:29:36,960
Drink.
375
00:29:39,040 --> 00:29:40,320
It will calm you.
376
00:29:42,160 --> 00:29:44,680
No, I need to be...
377
00:29:45,920 --> 00:29:48,800
I... I need to...
378
00:29:48,800 --> 00:29:50,200
My boy.
379
00:29:51,280 --> 00:29:52,400
My boy.
380
00:29:52,400 --> 00:29:53,640
Be still.
381
00:29:53,640 --> 00:29:56,440
Everything is as the ancestors will it.
382
00:29:56,440 --> 00:29:57,600
No!
383
00:29:58,240 --> 00:30:00,920
That cannot be.
384
00:30:03,280 --> 00:30:04,600
He's my boy.
385
00:30:05,200 --> 00:30:06,840
He's my baby.
386
00:30:07,520 --> 00:30:09,280
He wasn't a threat.
387
00:30:10,320 --> 00:30:14,160
Mbande was afraid of the man
your baby could be.
388
00:30:14,960 --> 00:30:17,960
Are the ancestors afraid too?
389
00:30:17,960 --> 00:30:19,520
Whose side are you on?
390
00:30:20,600 --> 00:30:22,000
I am not defending him.
391
00:30:22,960 --> 00:30:24,920
- I am thinking of Ndongo...
392
00:30:24,920 --> 00:30:26,400
...as you should be.
393
00:30:27,120 --> 00:30:28,360
I'm sorry.
394
00:30:34,800 --> 00:30:35,960
Then I'll leave.
395
00:30:38,680 --> 00:30:39,880
I can't stay here.
396
00:30:40,440 --> 00:30:41,320
You can't.
397
00:30:41,320 --> 00:30:43,480
- You are from the royal house.
398
00:30:43,480 --> 00:30:46,720
You cannot move
without consulting the ancestors first.
399
00:30:46,720 --> 00:30:48,080
Then tell me...
400
00:30:48,960 --> 00:30:53,360
what I'm supposed to do with this pain.
401
00:30:54,120 --> 00:30:55,480
Tell me.
402
00:30:56,520 --> 00:30:59,000
What am I supposed to do?
403
00:31:01,000 --> 00:31:03,000
What if they kill me?
404
00:31:05,200 --> 00:31:06,520
Because...
405
00:31:07,480 --> 00:31:10,280
...you are Ndongo's hope.
406
00:31:10,840 --> 00:31:12,320
Mbande does not know it,
407
00:31:12,320 --> 00:31:15,400
but your father and our ancestors do,
408
00:31:15,400 --> 00:31:17,480
and nothing happens without their will.
409
00:31:18,480 --> 00:31:20,800
Endure, daughter,
410
00:31:20,800 --> 00:31:24,680
and trust that all this
is part of our ancestors' plan.
411
00:31:25,440 --> 00:31:28,640
The ancestors are asking too much.
412
00:31:30,160 --> 00:31:31,280
Maybe.
413
00:31:31,280 --> 00:31:34,280
Remember your loyalty
414
00:31:34,280 --> 00:31:37,480
isn't to the one who sits on the throne...
415
00:31:38,840 --> 00:31:42,360
but to the people of Ndongo
and to the throne itself.
416
00:31:43,440 --> 00:31:44,560
Endure this...
417
00:31:46,200 --> 00:31:48,800
and you can be anything.
418
00:32:07,080 --> 00:32:09,880
During the first six months
of Mbande's reign,
419
00:32:09,880 --> 00:32:13,120
the Portuguese step up their attacks
on his people.
420
00:32:14,800 --> 00:32:16,720
Now, look at these two charts.
421
00:32:17,760 --> 00:32:18,920
This is the ratio...
422
00:32:18,920 --> 00:32:21,960
There is new leadership
among the Portuguese.
423
00:32:21,960 --> 00:32:24,760
And the Portuguese are invading
424
00:32:24,760 --> 00:32:25,880
and encroaching
425
00:32:25,880 --> 00:32:28,480
deeper and deeper
into the interior of Africa.
426
00:32:31,400 --> 00:32:34,560
Essentially,
Mbande is unable to create
427
00:32:34,560 --> 00:32:36,520
the military and political alliances
428
00:32:36,520 --> 00:32:39,320
needed to stem Portuguese aggression.
429
00:32:43,160 --> 00:32:45,160
Tell me about Mbande.
430
00:32:46,440 --> 00:32:47,560
Well,
431
00:32:47,560 --> 00:32:51,920
we have been averaging 15,000 slaves
a year from the Ndongo region.
432
00:32:51,920 --> 00:32:53,960
We've been losing a few hundred
433
00:32:53,960 --> 00:32:56,880
due to attacks on local slave markets.
434
00:32:58,160 --> 00:33:00,640
To capture even more
of Mbande's people,
435
00:33:01,640 --> 00:33:04,280
the Portuguese enlist the help
of a group of warriors
436
00:33:04,280 --> 00:33:05,800
called the Imbangala.
437
00:33:09,120 --> 00:33:12,520
The Imbangala are a group of mercenaries.
438
00:33:14,440 --> 00:33:16,520
Essentially, they are hired hands.
439
00:33:17,400 --> 00:33:19,960
And they're known
for being fierce warriors.
440
00:33:33,720 --> 00:33:37,920
The most important
of the Imbangala leaders, Kasanje,
441
00:33:38,880 --> 00:33:40,320
is allied with the Portuguese.
442
00:33:45,360 --> 00:33:47,920
People feared them
but they respected them.
443
00:33:47,920 --> 00:33:52,280
So everyone wants the Imbangala
on their side or on their payroll
444
00:33:52,280 --> 00:33:56,200
because they knew
that if you had them in your corner,
445
00:33:56,200 --> 00:33:57,800
you might have a fighting chance.
446
00:34:08,840 --> 00:34:11,720
Njinga lost her father,
and she lost her child.
447
00:34:11,720 --> 00:34:15,080
So, I think, as a person,
she must be quite devastated.
448
00:34:15,080 --> 00:34:19,159
However, she's still a princess.
449
00:34:19,159 --> 00:34:22,480
She is still the embodiment
of an ancestor,
450
00:34:23,199 --> 00:34:24,280
so...
451
00:34:25,040 --> 00:34:29,120
she has to put aside
the resentment she may harbor
452
00:34:29,120 --> 00:34:31,199
for the man who killed her child.
453
00:34:36,239 --> 00:34:37,199
You summoned me.
454
00:34:38,239 --> 00:34:39,920
You missed another council meeting.
455
00:34:43,560 --> 00:34:45,520
Accept my apologies,
456
00:34:46,080 --> 00:34:47,120
our King.
457
00:34:49,480 --> 00:34:50,440
Show her.
458
00:34:53,800 --> 00:34:55,719
What's left of our scouts.
459
00:34:55,719 --> 00:34:57,000
Kasanje.
460
00:34:57,600 --> 00:34:59,080
The Ghost in the Mist.
461
00:35:01,480 --> 00:35:04,400
How does Kasanje
keep breaking through our defenses?
462
00:35:05,320 --> 00:35:07,880
Get some soldiers out there
and bring him to me!
463
00:35:07,880 --> 00:35:11,880
The only soldiers you have left
are guarding Kabasa.
464
00:35:14,120 --> 00:35:15,680
Then send them.
465
00:35:16,680 --> 00:35:18,720
He mustn't be allowed
to cross into Kabasa.
466
00:35:19,600 --> 00:35:21,760
I will not lose
more than my father has lost!
467
00:35:25,000 --> 00:35:26,400
If you lose Kabasa,
468
00:35:27,160 --> 00:35:30,720
you will lose more
than our father ever did.
469
00:35:30,720 --> 00:35:33,320
It's not wise to gamble
with your last line of defense.
470
00:35:33,920 --> 00:35:36,440
And what do you suggest we do, huh?
471
00:35:38,360 --> 00:35:39,360
Njinga!
472
00:35:39,920 --> 00:35:41,400
You can use Imbangala warriors.
473
00:35:41,400 --> 00:35:42,440
What?
474
00:35:43,000 --> 00:35:45,640
I'm not putting Ndongo's future
in the hands of those traitors.
475
00:35:45,640 --> 00:35:48,640
Those traitors, they are divided.
476
00:35:49,200 --> 00:35:50,120
Leverage that.
477
00:35:52,200 --> 00:35:56,240
And who better to fight
an Imbangala warrior like Kasanje
478
00:35:56,240 --> 00:35:57,880
than another Imbangala?
479
00:35:59,080 --> 00:36:02,240
The Imbangala are actually
made up of different groups,
480
00:36:02,240 --> 00:36:05,200
so they're not all led by the same person.
481
00:36:06,320 --> 00:36:09,720
The Imbangala leaders
have no loyalty to anyone.
482
00:36:10,560 --> 00:36:13,080
They'll even fight each other
if the price is right.
483
00:36:16,360 --> 00:36:18,360
And how do you propose we tame them?
484
00:36:18,360 --> 00:36:19,560
We don't.
485
00:36:19,560 --> 00:36:23,840
We arm them, set them loose,
and buy time to regroup.
486
00:36:23,840 --> 00:36:25,440
And if they stand against us? Hm?
487
00:36:25,440 --> 00:36:27,080
They send us over to these slavers?
488
00:36:27,080 --> 00:36:28,120
They won't.
489
00:36:28,120 --> 00:36:29,240
You're certain, eh?
490
00:36:29,240 --> 00:36:30,720
What other choice do we have?
491
00:36:31,480 --> 00:36:32,680
Hmm?
492
00:36:32,680 --> 00:36:34,720
Send me. I'll convince them myself.
493
00:36:36,480 --> 00:36:38,280
No, it's too risky.
494
00:36:39,440 --> 00:36:41,720
We will use whatever men
we have left in Kabasa
495
00:36:41,720 --> 00:36:44,400
to move against the Portuguese
and Kasanje!
496
00:36:48,360 --> 00:36:49,320
Why?
497
00:36:49,320 --> 00:36:51,240
My decision is final--
498
00:36:51,240 --> 00:36:53,320
I meant my son.
499
00:36:55,560 --> 00:36:56,640
Why?
500
00:36:57,640 --> 00:36:59,600
If you had asked me,
501
00:36:59,600 --> 00:37:01,520
I'd have taken him away from here.
502
00:37:02,560 --> 00:37:04,880
So that you'd never feel threatened.
503
00:37:05,920 --> 00:37:07,480
Never see him again.
504
00:37:09,520 --> 00:37:11,320
Why didn't you ask me, Mbande?
505
00:37:12,080 --> 00:37:15,000
Why did you have to take away
506
00:37:15,600 --> 00:37:18,520
the only thing that mattered to me
in this world?
507
00:37:25,400 --> 00:37:27,320
The King does what must be done.
508
00:38:07,560 --> 00:38:10,800
It's better
that I go find the Imbangala.
509
00:38:10,800 --> 00:38:12,720
I'm afraid, if I stay...
510
00:38:14,120 --> 00:38:18,520
I'll do something to the King
that will anger the ancestors.
511
00:38:18,520 --> 00:38:20,640
- But he forbade you to go.
512
00:38:21,360 --> 00:38:22,760
I'm not afraid of him.
513
00:38:23,760 --> 00:38:25,240
He can't kill me twice.
514
00:38:26,080 --> 00:38:28,560
She won't understand.
515
00:38:28,560 --> 00:38:30,600
I heard you're leaving. Where to?
516
00:38:31,800 --> 00:38:32,920
To find the Imbangala.
517
00:38:33,560 --> 00:38:35,320
What if they capture you
and give you to the slavers?
518
00:38:35,320 --> 00:38:37,160
That's a risk
I'm willing to take.
519
00:38:37,160 --> 00:38:40,120
If it saves us all from being killed
520
00:38:40,120 --> 00:38:42,440
by Mbande's foolishness
with the Portuguese.
521
00:38:42,440 --> 00:38:44,720
Then let Mbande go, it's his mess!
He's the King!
522
00:38:44,720 --> 00:38:47,320
No! He's better off here.
523
00:38:47,320 --> 00:38:48,920
Fine, then I'll come with you.
524
00:38:48,920 --> 00:38:50,720
I need you here,
525
00:38:50,720 --> 00:38:53,920
so that the both of you
can keep an eye on Mbande.
526
00:38:56,080 --> 00:38:57,600
Promise me
527
00:38:57,600 --> 00:39:01,000
you'll look after each other
until I return.
528
00:39:01,000 --> 00:39:02,480
Promise us...
529
00:39:02,480 --> 00:39:03,880
you will return.
530
00:39:06,640 --> 00:39:08,320
Please come back safe.
531
00:39:12,080 --> 00:39:13,320
I love you both.
532
00:39:16,000 --> 00:39:19,480
Njinga defies her brother
and seeks an alliance
533
00:39:19,480 --> 00:39:21,640
with an Imbangala leader called Kasa.
534
00:39:21,640 --> 00:39:23,760
This is her really acting on her own.
535
00:39:36,560 --> 00:39:39,040
You may be
Ndongo's only hope.
536
00:40:35,040 --> 00:40:38,200
Njinga's taking a huge risk
in seeking out the Imbangala.
537
00:40:40,040 --> 00:40:41,640
They're constantly on the move,
538
00:40:41,640 --> 00:40:42,840
pillaging settlements,
539
00:40:42,840 --> 00:40:45,760
and murdering anyone
who stands in their way.
540
00:41:06,720 --> 00:41:07,960
Imbangala were here.
541
00:41:07,960 --> 00:41:09,320
Weapons out!
542
00:41:12,280 --> 00:41:13,440
Careful.
543
00:41:16,040 --> 00:41:17,920
Are you sure about the Imbangala?
544
00:41:18,480 --> 00:41:19,360
No.
545
00:41:20,560 --> 00:41:23,040
But I trust them
more than I trust the Portuguese.
546
00:41:27,240 --> 00:41:28,680
They cut him down from the back.
547
00:41:29,840 --> 00:41:30,960
Dishonorable.
548
00:41:32,440 --> 00:41:34,760
- War is about honor.
- War is about death.
549
00:41:35,880 --> 00:41:37,720
Make no mistake, Ndambi.
550
00:41:41,120 --> 00:41:42,400
Look around you.
551
00:41:44,560 --> 00:41:47,680
Honor left these battlefields years ago.
552
00:41:55,360 --> 00:41:59,360
- Imbangala!
553
00:41:59,360 --> 00:42:01,200
Everyone, behind me!
554
00:42:11,000 --> 00:42:14,600
- Imbangala!
555
00:42:14,600 --> 00:42:16,000
Imbangala!
556
00:42:19,840 --> 00:42:20,960
Well, look at this.
557
00:42:21,880 --> 00:42:22,880
A woman.
558
00:42:24,000 --> 00:42:25,360
And you are?
559
00:42:25,360 --> 00:42:27,880
Disappointed at you.
560
00:42:28,760 --> 00:42:31,360
Is this how you welcome guests
onto your land?
561
00:42:32,000 --> 00:42:34,000
Guests bring gifts. You?
562
00:42:34,680 --> 00:42:36,240
You have brought a battle ax.
563
00:42:36,800 --> 00:42:38,880
- You brought warriors.
564
00:42:39,440 --> 00:42:40,440
True.
565
00:42:42,560 --> 00:42:44,040
Let my warrior go.
566
00:42:44,880 --> 00:42:47,640
Put the ax away and I shall give you
a dagger to play with.
567
00:42:51,120 --> 00:42:52,360
If you insist.
568
00:42:57,880 --> 00:43:00,000
You still have not introduced yourself.
569
00:43:00,000 --> 00:43:00,960
Njinga.
570
00:43:00,960 --> 00:43:02,600
Princess of Ndongo,
571
00:43:02,600 --> 00:43:05,680
sister to King Ngola Mbande.
572
00:43:06,680 --> 00:43:08,200
And you must be Kasa.
573
00:43:10,120 --> 00:43:13,640
The Imbangala leader, Kasa,
is younger than Njinga,
574
00:43:13,640 --> 00:43:16,280
but he has military prowess.
575
00:43:16,280 --> 00:43:18,680
And he has a band of warriors
576
00:43:18,680 --> 00:43:21,640
that she believes
will really serve her well.
577
00:43:22,840 --> 00:43:24,480
I have a proposal for you.
578
00:43:25,960 --> 00:43:29,400
Take your people and leave, princess.
579
00:43:29,400 --> 00:43:31,240
- Now.
- Not...
580
00:43:31,240 --> 00:43:33,000
without what I came for.
581
00:43:33,000 --> 00:43:34,720
And what is it that you have come for?
582
00:43:34,720 --> 00:43:37,720
- Your warriors to fight Kasanje...
583
00:43:38,760 --> 00:43:39,920
...and the Portuguese.
584
00:43:41,200 --> 00:43:42,280
Is that all?
585
00:43:46,320 --> 00:43:47,440
Now tell me.
586
00:43:49,080 --> 00:43:53,560
What is it that you have brought
in return for this big request?
587
00:43:54,200 --> 00:43:56,000
- Nothing.
- Nothing?
588
00:43:57,200 --> 00:43:58,280
Nothing?
589
00:43:59,160 --> 00:44:01,480
Why would I help you for nothing?
590
00:44:01,480 --> 00:44:05,040
Because I have nothing to lose,
591
00:44:06,280 --> 00:44:08,320
{\an8}which makes me dangerous.
592
00:44:16,840 --> 00:44:22,000
{\an8}You don't look very dangerous from here,
Princess Njinga of Ndongo.
593
00:44:22,720 --> 00:44:24,000
Really?
594
00:44:29,920 --> 00:44:32,440
Are you ready to talk now?
595
00:44:33,640 --> 00:44:36,120
{\an8}Or do you still want me
to play with your dagger?