1 00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:14,400 The wheel of history turns once more 2 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:16,240 in the Kingdom of Ndongo. 3 00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:25,800 Njinga's brother is dead. 4 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:32,160 Her ties to Kasa, the Imbangala warrior, 5 00:00:32,160 --> 00:00:35,000 have been shattered, their marriage annulled. 6 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:37,200 Njinga! 7 00:00:38,040 --> 00:00:40,920 The consequence of taking a young, future king's life 8 00:00:40,920 --> 00:00:42,880 on the day of their wedding. 9 00:00:45,400 --> 00:00:47,000 A necessary deed, 10 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:50,200 to take power and continue her ultimate plan... 11 00:00:51,720 --> 00:00:56,360 to drive the Portuguese out of Ndongo, once and for all. 12 00:00:58,000 --> 00:01:00,160 All debts are paid. 13 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:03,240 You are queen now. 14 00:01:11,880 --> 00:01:15,400 All hail Queen Njinga! 15 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:17,480 Njinga! 16 00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:25,440 Njinga! Njinga! 17 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:34,200 Njinga! Njinga! 18 00:02:10,320 --> 00:02:12,840 The market looks different today. 19 00:02:13,720 --> 00:02:15,720 These aren't just our usual traders, sister. 20 00:02:16,600 --> 00:02:18,960 Now at the age of 42, 21 00:02:18,960 --> 00:02:20,280 {\an8}Njinga is Queen. 22 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:22,680 {\an8}She is ruler of all the land. 23 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:27,840 {\an8}She is finally in charge of the fate of her kingdom, Ndongo. 24 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:31,440 In the Kingdom of Ndongo, 25 00:02:31,440 --> 00:02:34,480 from the safety of her military base in the Kindonga Islands, 26 00:02:34,480 --> 00:02:38,880 {\an8}Njinga is ruling with her sisters, Kambu and Funji, by her side. 27 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:41,560 Many of these people have come in response to your call. 28 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:46,560 Our spies say that entire villages have responded, 29 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:49,880 emptying out their most able-bodied to you. 30 00:02:50,440 --> 00:02:53,280 Njinga is trying to grow her army 31 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:55,720 by reaching out to people and saying, 32 00:02:55,720 --> 00:02:57,720 "Let me be your queen." 33 00:02:57,720 --> 00:03:01,560 {\an8}The presentation of herself as a defiant ruler 34 00:03:01,560 --> 00:03:03,080 {\an8}was very appealing to people, 35 00:03:03,080 --> 00:03:07,280 especially those who felt like Portuguese enslavement, violence, 36 00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:10,200 was really undermining their communities at this time. 37 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:14,360 {\an8}She's creating sanctuary for people, not only hers, 38 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:16,040 {\an8}but people of other tribes. 39 00:03:23,360 --> 00:03:24,440 Who are they? 40 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:27,720 They arrived this morning. 41 00:03:28,680 --> 00:03:29,840 On their own? 42 00:03:31,240 --> 00:03:33,480 Their families were slaughtered. 43 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:38,240 Portuguese raided their village. 44 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:41,880 Those they didn't kill, they took with them to Luanda. 45 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:45,360 They hid in the bushes for three days. 46 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:04,000 You're safe now. 47 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:14,920 A bloody death... 48 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:17,560 is too good for Governor Sousa. 49 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:20,240 We still don't have enough bodies to crush Sousa. 50 00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:21,560 - He's relentless. - Yes. 51 00:04:21,560 --> 00:04:24,560 Thank you, Funji. I know what he is like. You do not need to remind me. 52 00:04:24,560 --> 00:04:27,000 I was just saying he has men who are... 53 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:28,320 Human. 54 00:04:28,320 --> 00:04:29,480 Not gods. 55 00:04:30,360 --> 00:04:33,400 Though we may be small in number, we can still hurt them. 56 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:34,440 How? 57 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:38,280 These people are mostly farmers, fishermen, not soldiers. 58 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:41,680 Then surrender if you have given up, Funji. 59 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:44,200 Njinga, be reasonable. 60 00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:46,000 Reasonable nothing. 61 00:04:46,560 --> 00:04:49,280 You may see civilians and downtrodden people. 62 00:04:49,280 --> 00:04:54,120 I see a homegrown army, ready to defend their land. 63 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:57,480 Do not underestimate 64 00:04:57,480 --> 00:05:00,440 what someone fighting for their family is capable of. 65 00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:03,920 Especially when they have nothing left to lose. 66 00:05:06,840 --> 00:05:08,640 Don't take her frustration to heart. 67 00:05:09,920 --> 00:05:12,120 She is speaking as the King... 68 00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:15,680 with the weight of her people on her shoulders, 69 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:17,760 not as our sister. 70 00:05:20,360 --> 00:05:21,480 I know. 71 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:34,840 She does not believe that Portuguese slavery is okay, 72 00:05:34,840 --> 00:05:37,320 that her people can be taken captive. 73 00:05:37,320 --> 00:05:39,440 So she will use and deploy 74 00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:41,720 every single means she has. 75 00:05:46,120 --> 00:05:48,200 One of the things that Njinga realizes, 76 00:05:48,200 --> 00:05:49,720 I think very savvily, is that 77 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:52,920 she needs the people to contest what the Portuguese are doing. 78 00:05:54,360 --> 00:05:59,080 She sends out her messengers to various provinces within Ndongo, 79 00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:00,880 and she encourages people to rebel, 80 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:03,160 to join her against the Portuguese. 81 00:06:06,280 --> 00:06:08,640 Enslaved people on Portuguese plantations 82 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:10,160 ran away en masse. 83 00:06:11,440 --> 00:06:13,320 Enslaved soldiers, 84 00:06:13,320 --> 00:06:16,760 part of the Portuguese military presence there escape. 85 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:22,800 And in a move indicative of her tactical brilliance, 86 00:06:22,800 --> 00:06:24,520 Njinga blocks roads, 87 00:06:24,520 --> 00:06:26,400 and this disrupts markets 88 00:06:26,400 --> 00:06:29,040 in which Portuguese settlers would buy slaves. 89 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:33,000 Destroying these networks stops the Portuguese 90 00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:37,080 being able to march the enslaved to Luanda, the Portuguese base, 91 00:06:37,080 --> 00:06:40,280 where captives are either siphoned into coastal plantations, 92 00:06:40,280 --> 00:06:43,280 become slave soldiers, or are sent out of Africa 93 00:06:43,280 --> 00:06:45,520 and into the transatlantic slave trade. 94 00:06:58,080 --> 00:07:01,400 Back in Luanda, the new governor Fernão de Sousa 95 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:04,480 is seething at the catastrophic loss of profits. 96 00:07:05,080 --> 00:07:07,360 The new governor is seeing 97 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:10,200 not only his army shrinking, 98 00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:13,280 but his access to the slave trade dwindling 99 00:07:13,280 --> 00:07:15,880 with the activities of Njinga. 100 00:07:28,560 --> 00:07:30,520 The Portuguese are furious. 101 00:07:30,520 --> 00:07:33,880 This disruption really puts Njinga on their radar. 102 00:07:35,880 --> 00:07:38,040 He doesn't look pleased, sister. 103 00:07:38,560 --> 00:07:39,520 Good. 104 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:42,560 If he's angry, he's not in control. 105 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:43,520 Mm. 106 00:07:47,400 --> 00:07:50,920 Although the Portuguese have a superior military, 107 00:07:50,920 --> 00:07:55,440 they still feel like it would be best to negotiate 108 00:07:55,440 --> 00:07:57,960 rather than go with force every time 109 00:07:57,960 --> 00:08:00,640 because force will eventually deplete them. 110 00:08:12,760 --> 00:08:17,720 Illustrious envoy of his Excellency, Governor de Sousa. 111 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:20,120 You are most welcome. 112 00:08:20,120 --> 00:08:21,880 I bring a message. 113 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:26,000 I bring an order from the Governor. 114 00:08:27,160 --> 00:08:30,400 Return his property immediately. 115 00:08:30,400 --> 00:08:32,400 Property? What property? 116 00:08:32,400 --> 00:08:33,880 Slaves. 117 00:08:33,880 --> 00:08:35,480 Portugal's slaves... 118 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:38,400 you know very well what property I'm referring to, 119 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:39,799 since you and your... your... 120 00:08:47,640 --> 00:08:48,799 Go on. 121 00:08:51,560 --> 00:08:53,280 Since you and your... 122 00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:55,560 soldiers... 123 00:08:56,320 --> 00:08:59,760 have disrupted every slave market from here to Luanda. 124 00:09:00,520 --> 00:09:04,240 You have taken property that does not belong to you. 125 00:09:05,040 --> 00:09:07,440 Those slaves belong to the Governor. 126 00:09:08,240 --> 00:09:09,600 Please... 127 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:13,240 tell the Governor I will be happy to return his property, his... 128 00:09:14,400 --> 00:09:15,800 ...slaves. 129 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:18,680 Well, good. 130 00:09:18,680 --> 00:09:21,200 I, I shall return at once and tell-- 131 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:22,960 Only problem is... 132 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:25,760 I don't have any. 133 00:09:27,040 --> 00:09:28,040 What? 134 00:09:28,040 --> 00:09:30,440 I don't have any slaves. 135 00:09:31,960 --> 00:09:33,880 What do you mean you don't have any slaves? 136 00:09:33,880 --> 00:09:36,840 - You can't have sold... - I never had... 137 00:09:37,480 --> 00:09:38,640 any slaves. 138 00:09:39,720 --> 00:09:40,800 Look around. 139 00:09:42,320 --> 00:09:45,200 {\an8}Do you see any slaves here? 140 00:09:47,040 --> 00:09:48,520 If you see any, 141 00:09:49,080 --> 00:09:49,960 tell me. 142 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:54,440 And I will gladly return them to the Governor. 143 00:09:58,640 --> 00:09:59,480 Go on! 144 00:10:05,880 --> 00:10:10,520 Do you see any slaves here? 145 00:10:14,760 --> 00:10:19,360 Tell the Governor there are no slaves here... 146 00:10:20,080 --> 00:10:22,360 in my kingdom. 147 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:29,640 Kindly escort our guests to the road safely. 148 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:33,480 It's almost dark. 149 00:10:35,040 --> 00:10:36,880 We wouldn't want you getting lost. 150 00:10:38,360 --> 00:10:41,880 Becoming somebody else's property. 151 00:10:42,800 --> 00:10:43,840 Would we? 152 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:52,640 We both know that the Governor will not be pleased. 153 00:10:59,800 --> 00:11:01,120 So be it. 154 00:11:07,760 --> 00:11:10,480 This is the first time in decades 155 00:11:10,480 --> 00:11:13,440 in which Ndongo has the upper hand against the Portuguese, 156 00:11:13,440 --> 00:11:17,040 in which Ndongo is a force to be reckoned with. 157 00:11:29,360 --> 00:11:31,040 The Portuguese were terrified. 158 00:11:31,960 --> 00:11:34,760 It's detrimental to the Portuguese Empire as a whole. 159 00:11:36,320 --> 00:11:39,160 It's not only about their conquest of Ndongo. 160 00:11:39,160 --> 00:11:41,480 It's really about their colonial possessions in Brazil, 161 00:11:41,480 --> 00:11:42,880 which at this time, 162 00:11:42,880 --> 00:11:45,520 is one of the wealthiest colonies in the world. 163 00:11:45,520 --> 00:11:49,640 And they need enslaved laborers to grow sugar, white gold, 164 00:11:49,640 --> 00:11:54,640 one of the most lucrative commodities that existed in the 17th century. 165 00:11:56,360 --> 00:12:00,680 But now, in what could really be a huge blow for Portuguese slave traders, 166 00:12:00,680 --> 00:12:03,840 Njinga is not just winning over enslaved people, 167 00:12:03,840 --> 00:12:07,640 she's also bringing the noble class called sobas, on side. 168 00:12:08,280 --> 00:12:10,960 The Portuguese use political violence 169 00:12:10,960 --> 00:12:13,160 in order to create alliances 170 00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:15,440 and to make people afraid to cross them. 171 00:12:16,040 --> 00:12:20,520 They relied on sobas, African allies, to deliver enslaved people 172 00:12:20,520 --> 00:12:25,000 and because of Njinga's resistance to Portuguese rule, 173 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:28,840 sobas were increasingly denying that tribute to the Portuguese. 174 00:12:33,880 --> 00:12:35,640 We do not have any tributes. 175 00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:40,880 The Soba continue to flock to Njinga in droves. 176 00:12:41,760 --> 00:12:44,920 At this rate, we won't have any slaves to speak of. 177 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:46,400 By rights... 178 00:12:47,560 --> 00:12:49,120 that savage... 179 00:12:49,720 --> 00:12:53,600 should be in the bowels of a slave ship on her way to Salvador 180 00:12:53,600 --> 00:12:56,960 along with her miserable compatriots, 181 00:12:56,960 --> 00:12:59,960 that thieving whore! 182 00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:04,080 Njinga has no idea what's coming for her. 183 00:13:04,960 --> 00:13:09,680 We will unleash the wrath of Portugal on that pagan female 184 00:13:09,680 --> 00:13:12,520 until she has nowhere left to hide 185 00:13:12,520 --> 00:13:16,520 on this miserable, godforsaken corner of the earth! 186 00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:19,520 Whatever it takes. 187 00:13:28,520 --> 00:13:30,840 Njinga is such a danger 188 00:13:30,840 --> 00:13:33,840 to the prospect of the Portuguese in the region 189 00:13:33,840 --> 00:13:38,120 that they decided to get rid, right, of the problem 190 00:13:38,120 --> 00:13:40,160 that Njinga was, once and for all. 191 00:13:40,160 --> 00:13:42,920 She's basically public enemy number one. 192 00:13:42,920 --> 00:13:45,880 This is the moment that Governor Fernão de Sousa 193 00:13:45,880 --> 00:13:50,240 gains authorization from the Catholic Church 194 00:13:50,240 --> 00:13:54,320 to launch this "just holy war" against her. 195 00:14:05,320 --> 00:14:08,560 Gentlemen, the forest is full of savages. 196 00:14:09,240 --> 00:14:10,640 Our prize is near. 197 00:14:10,640 --> 00:14:12,360 I want you coming in from the west... 198 00:14:13,240 --> 00:14:16,040 and the rest of you, following me from behind. 199 00:14:16,960 --> 00:14:18,560 Today we take our prize, boys. 200 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:23,600 The Portuguese begin a bloody military campaign against Njinga. 201 00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:28,600 Over a period of two months, they eat into her territory 202 00:14:28,600 --> 00:14:32,360 and eventually surround her stronghold in the Kindonga Islands. 203 00:15:06,480 --> 00:15:08,120 They're overpowering us. 204 00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:11,840 Retreat! 205 00:15:12,560 --> 00:15:15,480 Fall back to the bushes now! 206 00:15:16,600 --> 00:15:18,440 The Portuguese are relentless. 207 00:15:18,440 --> 00:15:21,360 She thinks she can outwait them but she really can't. 208 00:15:27,880 --> 00:15:30,920 The Portuguese firepower is too much for Njinga. 209 00:15:30,920 --> 00:15:32,600 She loses many of her warriors. 210 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:38,720 The threat for Njinga and her people is annihilation, 211 00:15:38,720 --> 00:15:40,480 you know, complete destruction. 212 00:15:56,760 --> 00:15:59,520 From a jungle hideout in the Kindonga Islands, 213 00:15:59,520 --> 00:16:02,600 Njinga knows the odds of winning are stacked against her. 214 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:07,200 She must decide whether to stay and fight or retreat and rebuild. 215 00:16:08,840 --> 00:16:10,680 De Sousa has increased his armies. 216 00:16:10,680 --> 00:16:12,240 There's even talk of a reward for... 217 00:16:12,240 --> 00:16:14,160 Baskets of hands, 218 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:16,960 noses, and heads of my subjects. 219 00:16:19,560 --> 00:16:21,000 And for you too, my Queen. 220 00:16:24,120 --> 00:16:26,040 This response of this magnitude 221 00:16:26,680 --> 00:16:28,600 means that you are a formidable adversary. 222 00:16:29,560 --> 00:16:31,840 Their actions are speaking louder than their words. 223 00:16:32,440 --> 00:16:33,800 And what are they saying? 224 00:16:37,560 --> 00:16:39,080 That they're bloodthirsty, 225 00:16:40,080 --> 00:16:41,840 greedy, cruel murderers? 226 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:45,480 They are saying that you are Queen. 227 00:16:46,440 --> 00:16:49,360 Legitimate, powerful, loved. 228 00:16:50,560 --> 00:16:52,480 Too dangerous to live. 229 00:16:52,480 --> 00:16:53,960 Isn't that what you wanted? 230 00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:57,120 For them to know and acknowledge who you are? 231 00:16:58,520 --> 00:16:59,840 Well... 232 00:16:59,840 --> 00:17:01,520 you have your wish. 233 00:17:01,520 --> 00:17:02,720 What I have... 234 00:17:04,040 --> 00:17:06,280 is an army that is sick, 235 00:17:07,120 --> 00:17:09,119 depleted, and exhausted. 236 00:17:13,160 --> 00:17:15,359 I know they will be loyal to the end. 237 00:17:16,119 --> 00:17:17,359 But not like this. 238 00:17:19,280 --> 00:17:21,640 Not when the Portuguese can sniff our weakness. 239 00:17:23,960 --> 00:17:26,760 What do the ancestors say? Hmm? 240 00:17:26,760 --> 00:17:28,960 They can't have brought us this far to fail. 241 00:17:37,720 --> 00:17:39,480 We know from historical records, 242 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:40,840 she needs to retreat, 243 00:17:40,840 --> 00:17:43,560 {\an8}but she can't do that without losing face. 244 00:17:43,560 --> 00:17:46,760 {\an8}So she decides to consult the ancestors 245 00:17:46,760 --> 00:17:48,560 and in particular, her dead brother. 246 00:17:49,880 --> 00:17:51,480 Ngola Mbande. 247 00:17:52,440 --> 00:17:54,000 You see more than we do. 248 00:17:55,360 --> 00:17:56,800 Further than we can. 249 00:17:57,960 --> 00:17:59,120 Guide us. 250 00:18:05,320 --> 00:18:06,400 What does it say? 251 00:18:06,400 --> 00:18:08,480 Shh. Patience. 252 00:18:16,640 --> 00:18:20,200 Your brother says you have to be alive to fight, my daughter. 253 00:18:22,960 --> 00:18:28,160 They say, "Live first, and fight another day." 254 00:18:39,400 --> 00:18:40,800 We can't stay here. 255 00:18:42,640 --> 00:18:44,600 If more soldiers are coming, 256 00:18:44,600 --> 00:18:46,520 and the ancestors have agreed... 257 00:18:47,760 --> 00:18:49,200 that we should retreat... 258 00:18:51,480 --> 00:18:53,560 then we need to leave tonight. 259 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:57,000 Under the cover of dark, it's too dangerous to wait. 260 00:18:58,840 --> 00:18:59,920 Wake them. 261 00:19:01,040 --> 00:19:03,040 The ancestors have spoken. 262 00:19:03,800 --> 00:19:07,200 Njinga uses her spirituality strategically 263 00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:10,560 to demonstrate to the people of Ndongo known as Mbundu people 264 00:19:10,560 --> 00:19:12,600 that ancestral knowledge and power 265 00:19:12,600 --> 00:19:15,920 is informing her political and strategic decisions. 266 00:19:27,080 --> 00:19:30,480 Njinga and her entourage flee and go on the run. 267 00:19:31,520 --> 00:19:33,480 She makes the really difficult decision 268 00:19:33,480 --> 00:19:37,080 to leave her beloved sisters behind in the Kindongo Islands 269 00:19:37,080 --> 00:19:39,800 {\an8}at the war camp for their own safety. 270 00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:45,760 At this point, the Portuguese are taking over large parts 271 00:19:45,760 --> 00:19:47,840 of Njinga's kingdom, Ndongo. 272 00:19:49,480 --> 00:19:51,040 In order to protect her people, 273 00:19:51,040 --> 00:19:53,200 she has to turn to diplomacy. 274 00:19:55,840 --> 00:19:57,680 Who does this savage think he is? 275 00:20:01,320 --> 00:20:05,240 In 1626, Njinga sends her Mwene Lumbo, 276 00:20:05,240 --> 00:20:08,280 the highest official and highest diplomat to the Portuguese, 277 00:20:08,280 --> 00:20:10,280 to try and affect a peace. 278 00:20:11,120 --> 00:20:13,640 I thank you for the honor of granting this audience. 279 00:20:14,320 --> 00:20:16,920 With your permission, permit me to introduce myself. 280 00:20:17,560 --> 00:20:18,920 I am the Mwene Lumbo, 281 00:20:19,800 --> 00:20:22,560 special envoy of her most excellent majesty, 282 00:20:22,560 --> 00:20:24,640 Queen Njinga of Ndongo. 283 00:20:25,320 --> 00:20:27,200 She sends her highest official 284 00:20:27,200 --> 00:20:29,480 because this is an act of respect for her. 285 00:20:29,480 --> 00:20:31,720 It's something that she hopes will bring the Portuguese 286 00:20:31,720 --> 00:20:33,480 to the negotiation table. 287 00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:36,840 Queen Njinga sends her warmest salutations 288 00:20:36,840 --> 00:20:38,040 to your Excellency. 289 00:20:38,800 --> 00:20:40,320 She has instructed me to note 290 00:20:40,920 --> 00:20:43,160 that she will reopen access to markets... 291 00:20:44,040 --> 00:20:47,120 in return for her rightful recognition as Queen. 292 00:20:48,640 --> 00:20:50,040 We offer these tributes... 293 00:20:51,400 --> 00:20:53,720 as a sign of goodwill from my queen. 294 00:20:58,120 --> 00:20:59,840 With the promise of more, 295 00:20:59,840 --> 00:21:03,200 should we reach a mutually agreeable solution. 296 00:21:19,520 --> 00:21:21,280 Please show our guest... 297 00:21:21,920 --> 00:21:26,960 what a mutually agreeable solution looks like. 298 00:21:55,040 --> 00:21:56,840 They imprison the Mwene Lumbo 299 00:21:56,840 --> 00:21:59,360 and later execute him in a public beheading. 300 00:22:00,560 --> 00:22:02,960 But the Portuguese were not done yet. 301 00:22:02,960 --> 00:22:05,160 The Portuguese will do anything 302 00:22:05,160 --> 00:22:08,960 to ensure that she's not able to carry on with her mission. 303 00:22:11,240 --> 00:22:13,440 So they have to find what weakness 304 00:22:13,440 --> 00:22:16,280 could erode Njinga's power from within. 305 00:22:21,280 --> 00:22:22,360 My Queen. 306 00:22:24,840 --> 00:22:26,400 Speak! What happened? 307 00:22:26,400 --> 00:22:29,160 The Portuguese destroyed Kilombo. 308 00:22:31,400 --> 00:22:33,280 Many have lost their lives. 309 00:22:33,280 --> 00:22:34,640 Funji, Kambu... 310 00:22:35,840 --> 00:22:37,520 My sisters. What about my sisters? 311 00:22:39,120 --> 00:22:40,240 They took them. 312 00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:47,280 They what? 313 00:23:03,120 --> 00:23:04,320 No. 314 00:23:06,760 --> 00:23:10,000 No, no, please. 315 00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:12,320 My ancestors, please. 316 00:23:12,320 --> 00:23:13,480 No. 317 00:23:13,480 --> 00:23:15,760 Please, no. 318 00:23:15,760 --> 00:23:18,880 Her sisters are captured and taken prisoner 319 00:23:18,880 --> 00:23:20,200 by the Portuguese, 320 00:23:20,200 --> 00:23:21,680 as a bargaining chip. 321 00:23:23,400 --> 00:23:26,640 Her sisters, these are two of the closest relationships in her life. 322 00:23:28,200 --> 00:23:29,520 It's really terrifying. 323 00:23:30,640 --> 00:23:32,480 They are taken by the Portuguese, 324 00:23:33,280 --> 00:23:35,480 who have shown nothing but violent disregard 325 00:23:35,480 --> 00:23:37,880 for many Ndongo leaders in the past. 326 00:23:40,240 --> 00:23:41,280 Enough. 327 00:23:42,120 --> 00:23:43,640 Get up, Njinga. 328 00:23:44,880 --> 00:23:47,120 Your ancestors need you on your feet. 329 00:23:51,560 --> 00:23:52,600 Yes. 330 00:23:52,600 --> 00:23:53,640 That's it. 331 00:23:53,640 --> 00:23:55,440 She's devastated, 332 00:23:55,440 --> 00:23:58,800 and she has to think about what to do 333 00:23:58,800 --> 00:24:03,600 and also, she must be aware of what will be asked of her 334 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:05,520 to get her sisters back. 335 00:24:10,520 --> 00:24:12,080 We make camp here tonight. 336 00:24:15,160 --> 00:24:17,160 Tomorrow, we leave for the Imbangala. 337 00:24:17,160 --> 00:24:18,440 We are returning to Kasa? 338 00:24:19,160 --> 00:24:21,600 No, Kasa's a boy. I'm going to Chief Kasanje. 339 00:24:22,440 --> 00:24:24,600 My queen, is that wise? 340 00:24:24,600 --> 00:24:27,040 - Kasanje is-- - He is not a man to be played with. 341 00:24:27,040 --> 00:24:28,520 I have no choice. 342 00:24:28,520 --> 00:24:30,160 He's the only man... 343 00:24:31,000 --> 00:24:33,560 who can give me what I need... 344 00:24:34,400 --> 00:24:35,880 to fight the Portuguese. 345 00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:40,120 Are you willing to pay the price? 346 00:24:42,520 --> 00:24:43,560 Yes. 347 00:24:45,480 --> 00:24:49,480 You do not send a goat to fight a lion. 348 00:24:50,680 --> 00:24:52,680 I want my sisters back. 349 00:24:53,240 --> 00:24:55,520 I want the Portuguese off my land. 350 00:24:55,520 --> 00:24:58,400 Every last one of them, gone! 351 00:24:59,960 --> 00:25:02,680 Njinga is weakened after 352 00:25:02,680 --> 00:25:04,480 her forces are depleted. 353 00:25:04,480 --> 00:25:07,400 She needs to rebuild her power base. 354 00:25:07,400 --> 00:25:09,400 She needs men, she needs an army, 355 00:25:09,400 --> 00:25:11,880 and she wants someone who can help 356 00:25:11,880 --> 00:25:16,000 to make sure that the Portuguese are no longer able to take another life 357 00:25:16,000 --> 00:25:17,560 or another member of her family. 358 00:25:18,720 --> 00:25:22,960 So with her back against the wall, she decides to take quite a drastic step, 359 00:25:22,960 --> 00:25:26,880 trying to become ally with the Imbangala Captain Kasanje. 360 00:25:31,440 --> 00:25:36,480 Kasanje is the most powerful leader of the Imbangala people. 361 00:25:36,480 --> 00:25:40,760 Kasanje's power reaches far beyond that of any other Imbangala ruler. 362 00:25:40,760 --> 00:25:44,000 He has an enormous power base of 80,000 troops 363 00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:46,840 that Njinga knows she can tap into. 364 00:25:47,640 --> 00:25:52,280 He is reputed to be incredibly violent, cannibalistic, and dangerous. 365 00:25:54,160 --> 00:25:58,560 He's also a longtime enemy who attacked Ndongo seven years earlier. 366 00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:16,560 At this point, Kasanje's Imbangala 367 00:26:16,560 --> 00:26:19,960 have ambitions to abandon their nomadic lifestyle 368 00:26:19,960 --> 00:26:21,480 to become a more settled group. 369 00:26:21,480 --> 00:26:24,120 They both have something the other wants. 370 00:26:24,120 --> 00:26:26,440 He has the fierce army she needs, 371 00:26:26,440 --> 00:26:29,080 and Njinga knows how to build him a kingdom. 372 00:26:31,320 --> 00:26:32,720 It's her last resort. 373 00:26:32,720 --> 00:26:36,040 If she can get an alliance, she could consolidate power, 374 00:26:36,040 --> 00:26:39,120 so that she becomes the greatest threat in the region. 375 00:26:39,120 --> 00:26:41,400 You are your mother's daughter. 376 00:26:42,480 --> 00:26:43,400 Meaning? 377 00:26:44,760 --> 00:26:46,880 Do you think that was an easy task, 378 00:26:46,880 --> 00:26:49,120 being with a powerful man like your father? 379 00:26:50,440 --> 00:26:52,160 More powerful than this one here. 380 00:26:56,440 --> 00:26:57,560 Call on her. 381 00:26:58,440 --> 00:27:02,720 It is your mother's spirit that you need to be working with now, not your father's. 382 00:27:04,960 --> 00:27:07,320 He may be a proud, 383 00:27:08,080 --> 00:27:09,840 battle-hardened Imbangala... 384 00:27:11,200 --> 00:27:12,600 but he is a man first. 385 00:27:12,600 --> 00:27:13,760 Mm-hm. 386 00:27:15,240 --> 00:27:18,440 So I will not meet him as a female king. 387 00:27:19,240 --> 00:27:20,640 But as a queen. 388 00:27:23,440 --> 00:27:25,600 Because I'm also a woman first. 389 00:27:29,440 --> 00:27:30,480 For now. 390 00:28:41,880 --> 00:28:43,240 I have come... 391 00:28:44,560 --> 00:28:45,840 to seek refuge... 392 00:28:46,840 --> 00:28:48,400 and an alliance... 393 00:28:50,440 --> 00:28:52,840 with the only man in this kingdom 394 00:28:52,840 --> 00:28:55,720 who is truly capable 395 00:28:55,720 --> 00:28:57,480 of defeating the Portuguese. 396 00:28:58,800 --> 00:29:00,480 The great Njinga... 397 00:29:01,760 --> 00:29:04,080 seeks my protection from the Portuguese. 398 00:29:06,680 --> 00:29:09,800 And in return, I shall fight loyally alongside you. 399 00:29:10,920 --> 00:29:12,120 With what? 400 00:29:13,160 --> 00:29:14,680 With... 401 00:29:15,560 --> 00:29:16,520 heart. 402 00:29:19,280 --> 00:29:21,680 And whatever resources 403 00:29:21,680 --> 00:29:25,840 the great Chief Kasanje is willing to give me. 404 00:29:27,960 --> 00:29:31,360 I have fought many times alongside the Imbangala. 405 00:29:32,560 --> 00:29:35,640 I never disappoint. 406 00:29:37,160 --> 00:29:38,600 You speak well. 407 00:29:38,600 --> 00:29:40,600 - Thank you. - But your words... 408 00:29:41,200 --> 00:29:44,240 are not enough to get into this camp. 409 00:29:45,840 --> 00:29:46,960 What will it take? 410 00:29:54,320 --> 00:29:55,720 I have two conditions. 411 00:29:57,400 --> 00:29:58,720 First, you'll become my wife. 412 00:30:00,480 --> 00:30:03,200 I'm the Lord of this Kilombo. 413 00:30:04,760 --> 00:30:07,600 And there's only room for one lord, not two. 414 00:30:07,600 --> 00:30:09,720 You'll not do to me what you did to Kasa. 415 00:30:12,960 --> 00:30:14,520 And second? 416 00:30:16,320 --> 00:30:17,840 Get rid of that. 417 00:30:19,240 --> 00:30:21,160 I don't want to see it in your hand. 418 00:30:21,160 --> 00:30:24,720 Your symbols of authority have no weight here. 419 00:30:26,960 --> 00:30:29,200 Njinga has ritual objects, 420 00:30:29,200 --> 00:30:31,800 like many kings in Africa. 421 00:30:32,400 --> 00:30:34,520 I have a royal necklace. 422 00:30:34,520 --> 00:30:36,280 I have a royal scepter. 423 00:30:37,040 --> 00:30:40,480 Njinga has her belt, the lunga, 424 00:30:40,480 --> 00:30:43,200 which represent her power 425 00:30:43,200 --> 00:30:44,720 as being the female king. 426 00:30:47,280 --> 00:30:49,320 Throw it away. 427 00:31:03,360 --> 00:31:05,560 She knows that to strengthen her ranks 428 00:31:05,560 --> 00:31:07,520 and get her sisters back, 429 00:31:07,520 --> 00:31:09,880 she has to make certain sacrifices. 430 00:31:24,920 --> 00:31:27,920 One of the strategies that she employs throughout her life 431 00:31:27,920 --> 00:31:29,760 is she will acculturate, 432 00:31:29,760 --> 00:31:34,840 take on aspects of cultures foreign to her in order to get what she wants. 433 00:31:34,840 --> 00:31:36,520 And I think that's something that's very unique 434 00:31:36,520 --> 00:31:37,920 about Njinga as a leader. 435 00:31:39,120 --> 00:31:40,760 You said you wanted to fight, 436 00:31:42,000 --> 00:31:44,160 to lead a contingent of my men. 437 00:31:45,280 --> 00:31:48,480 Well, you can't do that without the title. 438 00:31:50,520 --> 00:31:53,840 So I've decided to appoint you Queen Njinga. 439 00:31:55,320 --> 00:31:57,360 Master of Arms and Great Warrior. 440 00:31:58,680 --> 00:31:59,720 But... 441 00:32:01,200 --> 00:32:02,360 But what? 442 00:32:05,440 --> 00:32:07,480 - More conditions? - You know me very well. 443 00:32:08,960 --> 00:32:10,200 We'll make a formidable couple. 444 00:32:10,200 --> 00:32:12,240 What do you want from me, Kasanje? 445 00:32:12,240 --> 00:32:13,280 Not just me. 446 00:32:14,680 --> 00:32:15,640 We! 447 00:32:26,640 --> 00:32:27,960 You must take the Blood Oath. 448 00:32:31,120 --> 00:32:32,520 Prove you're truly one of us. 449 00:32:33,880 --> 00:32:37,640 Do it now and everything I promised you is immediately yours. 450 00:32:52,400 --> 00:32:54,440 She has to prove herself 451 00:32:54,440 --> 00:32:58,360 as determined to become sincerely Imbangala. 452 00:33:00,200 --> 00:33:03,920 She has to go through a set of ritual procedures. 453 00:33:06,200 --> 00:33:10,440 She has to consume the blood of a human person. 454 00:33:16,840 --> 00:33:19,960 That moment in the biography of Njinga 455 00:33:19,960 --> 00:33:22,920 is the most debated in the historical records 456 00:33:22,920 --> 00:33:25,040 and in the mythology of Njinga. 457 00:33:28,680 --> 00:33:33,640 To what extent did she become an Imbangala cannibal? 458 00:33:35,080 --> 00:33:36,800 Did she consume human flesh? 459 00:33:36,800 --> 00:33:39,720 Did she perform human sacrifices? 460 00:33:42,960 --> 00:33:45,600 The Portuguese sources, 461 00:33:45,600 --> 00:33:51,200 {\an8}they demonize the Imbangala as barbaric cannibals. 462 00:33:51,200 --> 00:33:53,160 And the Portuguese 463 00:33:53,160 --> 00:33:58,720 used this defamation campaign to discredit Njinga. 464 00:33:58,720 --> 00:34:00,280 In my opinion, 465 00:34:00,280 --> 00:34:03,960 there were no hearts being eaten by anyone. 466 00:34:03,960 --> 00:34:06,320 Njinga didn't eat anyone's heart. 467 00:34:20,560 --> 00:34:23,000 After becoming an Imbangala Captain, 468 00:34:23,000 --> 00:34:25,199 Njinga turns her mind 469 00:34:25,199 --> 00:34:27,679 and her energies to conquest. 470 00:34:28,400 --> 00:34:29,400 What? 471 00:34:33,600 --> 00:34:34,920 I want one more thing. 472 00:34:35,440 --> 00:34:36,480 More? 473 00:34:36,480 --> 00:34:37,600 Mm. 474 00:34:40,880 --> 00:34:41,880 A base. 475 00:34:43,239 --> 00:34:45,679 You want to talk about war right now? 476 00:34:45,679 --> 00:34:46,679 Yes. 477 00:34:49,639 --> 00:34:51,080 You already have a base. 478 00:34:52,560 --> 00:34:53,600 Right here. 479 00:34:53,600 --> 00:34:54,840 I want my own base. 480 00:34:56,440 --> 00:35:00,120 Strong enough where I can plan and build... 481 00:35:01,360 --> 00:35:04,360 and hit the Portuguese where it hurts them the most. 482 00:35:06,040 --> 00:35:08,360 Why do I have a feeling you already know where? 483 00:35:14,040 --> 00:35:17,520 I want Matamba as my base. 484 00:35:19,680 --> 00:35:21,200 If I help you get what you want... 485 00:35:22,920 --> 00:35:24,600 what do I get in return? 486 00:35:27,320 --> 00:35:28,920 What do you want, Kasanje? 487 00:35:28,920 --> 00:35:30,000 Hmm? 488 00:35:31,120 --> 00:35:33,960 What can I possibly give the all-powerful Kasanje? 489 00:35:33,960 --> 00:35:35,320 I want you. 490 00:35:35,320 --> 00:35:37,400 - You already have me. - Your loyalty. 491 00:35:38,320 --> 00:35:40,040 - You have-- - No, Njinga. 492 00:35:41,440 --> 00:35:42,560 Listen. 493 00:35:46,400 --> 00:35:48,280 You want to end the Portuguese? 494 00:35:51,880 --> 00:35:53,480 I want my own kingdom. 495 00:35:55,160 --> 00:35:56,880 A strong kingdom. 496 00:36:04,520 --> 00:36:05,680 And I want... 497 00:36:06,600 --> 00:36:07,920 To trust me? 498 00:36:10,040 --> 00:36:11,640 - That I'll be... - Loyal. 499 00:36:13,800 --> 00:36:14,840 Always. 500 00:36:17,760 --> 00:36:19,120 Can I trust you? 501 00:36:20,720 --> 00:36:21,920 Kasanje... 502 00:36:25,040 --> 00:36:27,200 I'm the one lying naked in your bed. 503 00:36:29,120 --> 00:36:31,000 I have nothing to hide. 504 00:36:38,400 --> 00:36:39,520 Give me... 505 00:36:40,920 --> 00:36:42,120 thousands... 506 00:36:43,040 --> 00:36:44,640 of your strongest men. 507 00:36:47,320 --> 00:36:50,640 I will give you a kingdom. 508 00:36:52,840 --> 00:36:54,120 We have a deal. 509 00:36:55,720 --> 00:36:57,920 My queen of Matamba. 510 00:37:14,440 --> 00:37:17,760 The conquest of Matamba is essential for Njinga 511 00:37:17,760 --> 00:37:20,360 strategically, politically, and militarily. 512 00:37:21,280 --> 00:37:23,960 It sits right on the border of the Kingdom of Ndongo. 513 00:37:23,960 --> 00:37:26,040 So it's from here that she can launch attacks 514 00:37:26,040 --> 00:37:28,640 and really harass the Portuguese. 515 00:37:29,440 --> 00:37:30,760 With Kasanje's men, 516 00:37:30,760 --> 00:37:33,640 she begins her four-year-long conquest of Matamba. 517 00:37:33,640 --> 00:37:36,840 And it's really there that she firmly establishes 518 00:37:36,840 --> 00:37:38,840 her new territorial base. 519 00:37:48,560 --> 00:37:50,000 Now, at the age of 53, 520 00:37:50,000 --> 00:37:52,480 Njinga is leading a combined army 521 00:37:52,480 --> 00:37:56,080 of thousands of Imbangala warriors and Mbundu soldiers. 522 00:38:10,080 --> 00:38:13,760 She storms the kingdom and eventually, she gets to the capital, 523 00:38:13,760 --> 00:38:18,120 which is where the Matamban Queen's quarters is located. 524 00:38:47,600 --> 00:38:48,520 No! 525 00:38:49,840 --> 00:38:51,400 We are not the Portuguese. 526 00:38:51,400 --> 00:38:54,680 This is not how we treat royalty. 527 00:38:57,400 --> 00:38:58,880 Even in defeat. 528 00:39:02,600 --> 00:39:04,240 - I said-- 529 00:39:07,000 --> 00:39:09,720 Should we go to Kasanje and sort this out now? 530 00:39:10,720 --> 00:39:11,800 Are you deaf? 531 00:39:11,800 --> 00:39:14,800 Leave while you still have legs to walk on. 532 00:39:30,640 --> 00:39:32,640 They can't harm you. Don't be afraid. 533 00:39:34,280 --> 00:39:35,240 What about you? 534 00:39:37,480 --> 00:39:39,400 Should we fear you? 535 00:40:02,040 --> 00:40:03,960 You're banished. 536 00:40:04,840 --> 00:40:05,960 But don't worry. 537 00:40:07,440 --> 00:40:09,520 {\an8}You'll be safe a while where I'm sending you. 538 00:40:12,120 --> 00:40:16,120 You may even rule there on my behalf, but you can never come back here 539 00:40:16,120 --> 00:40:17,640 without my permission. 540 00:40:19,160 --> 00:40:21,480 Matamba is mine now. 541 00:40:22,840 --> 00:40:24,040 Understood? 542 00:40:27,080 --> 00:40:28,080 As you wish. 543 00:40:28,760 --> 00:40:31,400 - My daughter and I will leave-- - Your daughter stays here. 544 00:40:32,320 --> 00:40:33,320 What? 545 00:40:35,440 --> 00:40:37,040 She's so young. 546 00:40:37,040 --> 00:40:39,280 She... she still has so much to learn. 547 00:40:39,280 --> 00:40:40,680 She won't be of any use to you. 548 00:40:40,680 --> 00:40:42,320 I'll be the judge of that. 549 00:40:44,480 --> 00:40:45,720 Don't worry. 550 00:40:46,280 --> 00:40:48,040 As long as you go, 551 00:40:49,280 --> 00:40:51,680 and do as your Queen bids... 552 00:40:53,320 --> 00:40:54,720 she'll be safe. 553 00:40:55,840 --> 00:40:57,640 Wait, wait, wait... 554 00:40:57,640 --> 00:40:59,160 You have my word. 555 00:41:22,160 --> 00:41:23,640 It isn't personal. 556 00:41:30,520 --> 00:41:32,200 It has to be done. 557 00:41:36,640 --> 00:41:38,160 You may leave now. 558 00:41:38,960 --> 00:41:40,160 Please. 559 00:41:40,680 --> 00:41:43,520 I said... leave. 560 00:41:43,520 --> 00:41:45,360 I'm all she has. 561 00:41:45,360 --> 00:41:47,560 Please. I'm all she has! 562 00:41:47,560 --> 00:41:50,400 No! 563 00:41:51,520 --> 00:41:52,760 No! 564 00:41:52,760 --> 00:41:54,560 Taking Muongo's daughter 565 00:41:54,560 --> 00:41:57,720 would have been a tough but necessary choice for Njinga. 566 00:41:57,720 --> 00:42:01,320 It would ensure that Muongo would never return to Matamba. 567 00:42:04,680 --> 00:42:07,760 Now she is Queen of this kingdom. 568 00:42:07,760 --> 00:42:11,480 Njinga has to make some very difficult choices 569 00:42:11,480 --> 00:42:14,880 to make sure that she guarantees the freedom 570 00:42:14,880 --> 00:42:16,840 and the sovereignty of her people. 571 00:42:33,520 --> 00:42:34,440 Mm. 572 00:42:35,040 --> 00:42:37,560 Njinga has made an amazing comeback. 573 00:42:37,560 --> 00:42:41,560 She is now an Imbangala Captain, she's a feared warrior queen 574 00:42:41,560 --> 00:42:44,720 who commands an army of around 100,000 strong, 575 00:42:44,720 --> 00:42:49,720 but crucially, her sisters are still in the hands of the Portuguese. 576 00:42:50,560 --> 00:42:53,640 I will save you soon, my sisters.