Nzinga Nkuwu of Kongo Baptized
1491
The king of Kongo and several nobles were baptized by Portuguese missionaries, taking Christian names. The king chose Joao I. Within a decade, Kongo's elite would be writing letters in Portuguese, wearing European clothing, and debating Catholic theology. Africa's first Christian kingdom south of Ethiopia had just opened for business.
In context
Also in 1491 (3 other events on record)
- Henry VIII Born at Greenwich · Europe · Politics
- Ignatius of Loyola Born · Europe · Religion
- Leonardo Begins Sforza Horse · Europe · Culture
Before and after in Africa
Before and after in Religion
Era
Late Middle Ages (1301–1500), one of 874 events from that era on Saeculum.