Kalala Ilunga
Encyclopedia
Kalala Ilunga was one of the emperors of Luba
, an empire which spread over the province of Katanga
(before cutting) into Zambia
and Zimbabwe
. Kalala Ilunga was the eldest son of Ilunga Mbili
and nephew of King Kongolo Mwamba
. From a young age, Kalala Ilunga is an attractive option by its capacity warrior (like his father) and its spiritual and mystical gifts.
Having reached the age of a young adult, he incorporated the warring forces of the empire and will lead to many successes. Kongolo, already old and worried for his offspring and his empire ambitions and fearing revenge against Ilunga Mbidi, will organize a plot to eliminate him as well.
During a ceremony at the Court, Kalala Ilunga, like all other Princes had to do a ritual dance before the king. In the dance hall had been dug a hole where there had concealed spears and fetish
es so that Kalala Ilunga would fall over and die. Fortunately, priests Mbudie had echoes of the trap and alerted him. During the ceremony, Kalala Ilunga performed his dance with caution to avoid the trap. After the coup failed, Kongolo held another conspiracy with the complicity of a few soldiers.
It was expected that the slaughter Kalala Ilunga warriors on the battlefield. When the mutiny broke out, the faithful of the protected Kalala Ilunga and came out victorious. Thinking that his victory was gained, Kongolo went on the battlefield to find Kalala Ilunga living and supported by the soldiers. Kalala Ilunga went after Kongolo, caught him and killed him. He took care to take his head and his genitals with whom he returned to the capital of Mwibele. In exposing the people and the court, he was immediately proclaimed King of kings, Mulopwe (Emperor Tshiluba).
The Luba Empire was prosperous and large until his death in 1849. His son Ilunga wa Luhefu succeeded him, but could not keep the empire intact.
Kingdom of Luba
The Kingdom of Luba or Luba Empire was a pre-colonial Central African state, which arose in the marshy grasslands of the Upemba Depression in what is now southern Democratic Republic of Congo.-Origins:...
, an empire which spread over the province of Katanga
Katanga Province
Katanga Province is one of the provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Between 1971 and 1997, its official name was Shaba Province. Under the new constitution, the province was to be replaced by four smaller provinces by February 2009; this did not actually take place.Katanga's regional...
(before cutting) into Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
and Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
. Kalala Ilunga was the eldest son of Ilunga Mbili
Ilunga Mbili
Ilunga Mbili was a warrior, hunter, prophet and the civilizing hero and patriarch 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....
and nephew of King Kongolo Mwamba
Kongolo Mwamba
Kongolo 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, although some stories say it originated from Songye...
. From a young age, Kalala Ilunga is an attractive option by its capacity warrior (like his father) and its spiritual and mystical gifts.
Having reached the age of a young adult, he incorporated the warring forces of the empire and will lead to many successes. Kongolo, already old and worried for his offspring and his empire ambitions and fearing revenge against Ilunga Mbidi, will organize a plot to eliminate him as well.
During a ceremony at the Court, Kalala Ilunga, like all other Princes had to do a ritual dance before the king. In the dance hall had been dug a hole where there had concealed spears and fetish
Fetishism
A fetish is an object believed to have supernatural powers, or in particular, a man-made object that has power over others...
es so that Kalala Ilunga would fall over and die. Fortunately, priests Mbudie had echoes of the trap and alerted him. During the ceremony, Kalala Ilunga performed his dance with caution to avoid the trap. After the coup failed, Kongolo held another conspiracy with the complicity of a few soldiers.
It was expected that the slaughter Kalala Ilunga warriors on the battlefield. When the mutiny broke out, the faithful of the protected Kalala Ilunga and came out victorious. Thinking that his victory was gained, Kongolo went on the battlefield to find Kalala Ilunga living and supported by the soldiers. Kalala Ilunga went after Kongolo, caught him and killed him. He took care to take his head and his genitals with whom he returned to the capital of Mwibele. In exposing the people and the court, he was immediately proclaimed King of kings, Mulopwe (Emperor Tshiluba).
The Luba Empire was prosperous and large until his death in 1849. His son Ilunga wa Luhefu succeeded him, but could not keep the empire intact.