In which 13 year old Nzingha, the first daughter of Ngola Kiluanji, loves to practice with her bow and arrows, and try to get her father's attention. While she waits for her father to come back from fighting the Portguese she gets ready for her coming of age ceremony. After talking, hunting, and becoming closer with her father, he sends her out to go talk the leader of the Portguese, who wants to ask for slaves every year. There she talks with a maid who tells her what happens to slaves that go over the sea. She is shocked. When she goes to talk to the Portguese king he tells her that she can sit on the floor. Not okay with Nzingha, she tells a servant to get on his hands and knees so she can sit on his back and be at equal height with the king.
I had never heard of Nzingha before this book. She is now my new favorite queen! She married and had one son who was later killed by her half brother. Her husband died in battle. After her father died her youger half-brother took over and went crazy with power. Some people say that when she went to talk to the Portguese king she had him killed. No matter what really happened, at age 42 she became king and ruled for 40 years! She lived until she was 82 years old, which is very old for those days. Wait! That's really old even for today :) Her sister became king after her. I now LOVE Nzingha (also spelled Nzinga) who is just like Queen Elizabeth I and I can't wait to learn more about her!
This is in the Royal Diaries series.
Recomended for people who like: spunky African princesses, warrior queens, and really awesome old wise women!
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