Awene I Kongo

Awene Kongo (or more accurately Awene or Mwene Kongo) refers to the rulers or lords of the historic Kingdom of Kongo in Central Africa. Mwene (singular) signifies a holder of authority, while Awene is the plural, denoting multiple lords or leaders who governed the core provinces and vassal states under the supreme king, the Manikongo. "Awene" and Kongo leadership: In Kikongo refers to a person holding authority, particularly judicial authority, derived from the root -wene which meant territory or jurisdiction. The rulers of the Kongo kingdom were traditionally called Mwene Kongo (Lord of Kongo), while provincial governors or regional chieftains were also referred to as mwene. The kingdom was founded around 1390, and these rulers controlled a large portion of Central Africa including parts of modern-day Angola, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo. The Manikongo: The supreme ruler, or king, was called the Manikongo (a contraction of Mwene Kongo), who held both political and spiritual authority. Awene held authority over territory and were responsible for collecting tribute, maintaining order, and supplying goods to the center of the kingdom.