Kongolo (or Nkongolo) was a leader of

Luba people The Luba people or Baluba are an ethno-linguistic group indigenous to the south-central region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The majority of them live in this country, residing mainly in Katanga, Kasai and Maniema. The Baluba Tribe c ...

in the region of Katanga, and the first king of the

Luba Empire The Kingdom of Luba or Luba Empire (1585–1889) was a pre-colonial Central African state that arose in the marshy grasslands of the Upemba Depression in what is now southern Democratic Republic of Congo. Origins and foundation Archaeologi ...

. He built his capital in Mwibele, near

Lake Boya Lake Boya is a small lake about east of Kabongo in Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The lake is surrounded by high reeds, and has a thriving population of birds. In the pre-colonial period the region around Lake Boya wa ...

. Kongolo Mwamba was trying to extend his kingdom in conquering the Songye neighbouring chiefdoms. He met a prince of the Kunda people on behalf of

Ilunga Mbidi {{Refimprove, date=January 2008 Ilunga Mbidi was a soldier and cultural hero of the 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 Lualaba river. ...

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 Kalala Ilunga (b. 16th century) was a Prince, King and one of the emperors of Luba Empire, the latter of which spread over the province of Katanga (before cutting) into Zambia and Zimbabwe. A mythic cultural hero who had invented much of Luba cul ...

, 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

African kings Year of death unknown Year of birth unknown {{africa-hist-stub