Lunda Empire
Lunda Empire was an empire in Congo Basin and Katanga (Central and Southern Africa) that lasted from c. 1665 to 1887 CE, about 222 years. Its people spoke Bantu languages (Kongo, Shona, Zulu, Swahili, Luba, Ganda).
Founded when the Luba hunter Chibinda Ilunga married the Lunda queen Lueji, it grew under the Mwata Yamvo kings into a tributary empire from the Kwango to the Luapula. Chokwe invaders sacked its capital in 1887.
See Lunda Empire on the interactive timeline
Facts
- Dates
- c. 1665 to 1887 CE
- Duration
- 222 years
- Type
- Empire
- Region
- Congo Basin and Katanga, Central and Southern Africa
- Language family
- Bantu
- Capital
- Musumba
Became
Events in Central and Southern Africa during its time
- Battle of Mbwila
- Omanis take Fort Jesus
- Shaka becomes Zulu king
- The Great Trek begins
- Battle of Isandlwana
- Berlin Conference ends
- Witwatersrand gold rush
Neighbours in Central and Southern Africa
- Swahili city-states
- Kingdom of Kongo
- Zulu Kingdom
- Congo Free State
- Kingdom of Buganda
- Bunyoro-Kitara
- Portuguese Mozambique
- Portuguese Angola
- Mutapa Empire
- Luba Empire
Elsewhere in the world at the same time
- Republic of Venice
- Holy Roman Empire
- Ethiopian Empire (Solomonic dynasty)
- Ottoman Empire
- Ottoman Empire
- Portuguese Empire
- Mali Empire
- Ayutthaya Kingdom
- Mughal Empire
- Portuguese Brazil
Questions
When did Lunda Empire exist?
c. 1665 to 1887 CE, about 222 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.
Where was Lunda Empire?
Congo Basin and Katanga, in Central and Southern Africa. Its capital was Musumba.
What language did Lunda Empire speak?
Bantu. This family includes Kongo, Shona, Zulu, Swahili, Luba, Ganda.
What came after Lunda Empire?
Congo Free State.