Kongolo (or Nkongolo) was a leader of Luba people in the region of Katanga, and the first king of the Luba Empire. He built his capital in Mwibele, near Lake Boya. Kongolo Mwamba was trying to extend his kingdom by conquering the neighbouring Songye chiefdoms. He met a prince of the

Kunda people Location The Kunda or Akunda people are an ethnic group that hails from Mambwe District of Eastern Province, Zambia. Most Kundas live on the eastern bank of the Luangwa River near South Luangwa National Park. The Kunda people are not t ...

on behalf of

Ilunga Mbidi {{Refimprove, date=January 2008 Ilunga Mbidi was a soldier and cultural hero of the Luba people, Luba and Lunda people. Origins The details of his origins are not known. It is likely that he came from another Bantu kingdom to the East of the Lual ...

through its sisters who had met at the lake; Mbidi, being a late military strategist, helped Kongolo expand his Kingdom. The popularity and the growing power of Mbidi Ilunga overshadowed that of Kongolo, who was advised by his entourage to organize a conspiracy to eliminate Mbidi. With the help of his wives, Ilunga Mbidi absconded by leaving women and children while returning to Kunda. A son of

and nephew of Kongolo, Kalala Ilunga, took the place of his father as one of the generals among the warring forces. He also became very powerful, which overshadowed Kongolo. Kongolo tried several times to remove his nephew but failed. At the last attempt, Kalala Ilunga decided to end it, and defeated and killed Kongolo after a victory on the battlefield. After severing the head and genitals of Kongolo, he was proclaimed Emperor, or ''Mulopwe''.

References

Kings in Africa Year of death unknown Year of birth unknown {{africa-hist-stub