Ngoyo

Ngoyo

Ngoyo was a kingdom of the Woyo ethnic group, located in the south of Cabinda and on the Atlantic coast of Central Africa, just north of the Congo River.

In the 13th century, it was part of a confederation led by Vungu. The people of Ngoyo believed their ancestors were among the first to settle in the area, and their chiefs called themselves the nfumu nsi, meaning "lords of the earth." The capital city was Mbanza Ngoyo.

In the 1630s, Ngoyo was invaded by the forces of Soyo, and a son of the Soyo ruler was placed in charge. For many years after that, it is not clear who led Ngoyo. In the 1680s, Ngoyo had different relationships with Soyo and also had English merchants visiting.

By 1700, the area around Cabinda had become an important place for trade, and Ngoyo's economy depended a lot on trade. Later, in 1783, Ngoyo and the nearby state of Kakongo worked together to destroy a Portuguese fort. But the kingdom faced difficulties, especially with leadership. By the 1830s, Ngoyo no longer functioned as a kingdom. In 1885, the people of Ngoyo signed a treaty with Portugal and became a protectorate of that country, known through the Treaty of Simulambuco.