Nzinga Mbande was born into the ruling family of Ndongo in 1583 in Central West Africa. Nzinga received military and political training as a child, and she also became an ambassador to the Portuguese Empire. She was a Southwest African ruler who ruled as queen of the Ambundu Kingdoms of Ndongo (1624–1663) and Matamba (1631–1663), located in present-day northern Angola.

She was the daughter of Ngola Kilombo of Ndongo. Her mother, Kengela ka Nkombe, was one of her father’s slave wives and his favorite concubine. According to legend, the birthing process was very difficult for Kengela, her mother; Njinga received her name because the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck (the Kimbundu verb kujinga means to twist or turn).

Children of the royal household who survived difficult or unusual births were believed to possess spiritual gifts, and some saw their births as an indicator the person would grow to become a powerful and proud person. Njinga had two sisters, Kambu, or Lady Barbara and Funji, or Lady Grace. She also had a brother, Mbandi, who was heir apparent to throne.

She assumed power over Ndongo after the death of her father and brother, who both served as kings, and went on to conquer Matamba. She ruled during a period of rapid growth in the African slave trade by the Portuguese Empire in South West Africa. Nzinga fought for the independence of her kingdoms against the Portuguese in a reign that lasted 37 years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nzinga_of_Ndongo_and_Matamba1