ABSTRACT
Kongo was likely the first kingdom in western Africa to have contact with Europeans. A Portuguese explorer, Diogo Cão, arrived at the capital city of Mbanza-Kongo in 1483 and persuaded the manikongo, or king, Nzingu Kuwu, to exchange emissaries with Portugal. Soon after, the manikongo asked the Portuguese to send missionaries and military ad-
visers to Kongo in exchange for ivory, copper, and the other riches of the area, which included diamonds.
