Kongo Kingdom(1395 to 1857) was a central African kingdom located in present day Democratic Republic of Congo, near the lower Congo River. Kongo like other African Atlantic coastal kingdoms engage in massive slaving. Thousand were exported from the port of Mpinda, south banks of the Congo River.  OriginsThe lower Congo River was being settled around the twelth century by the ancestors of the Bakongo(kongo). Farming communities began to sprang up. The soil located between forest and savannah area was rich and fertile. Food surpluses were common.
By the 1400, the farming communities were united under one kingdom and king called the manikongo, with his capital Mbanza Congo. Lukeni Nimi of the Bungu Kingdom with an alliance of the mwisikongo, the clan chiefs, united the Bakongo farming communities. Kongo was divided into six provinces: Mpemba, Soyo, Mbamba, Mbata, Nsundi, Mpangu. Mpemba, Soyo, and Mbamba were the richest and influential. Kingdom stability depended on the latter three working in harmony. At the arrival of the Portuguese, it is estimated Kongo had a population of three million. Each province had its own army and lead by the governor. Kongo united could produce an army of 80,000 men. During battle, the manikongo would lead the army, with governors directing their individual provincial force. The kingdom collected tribute and used a shell currency called the nzimbu. Kongo controlled the harvesting of the nzimbu shells on the island of Luanda. The kingdom weaved raffia, forged metals such as copper and iron, engaged in crafts such as pottery and basket making. With its control of nzimbu production, surrounding kingdoms came under its influence: Ndembu, Mbwila, Bungu, Kakongo, and Loango. By the 1500s, it was an empire that stretched from the Atlantic coast to the Kwango River.
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