logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2022
56m 58s

Njinga of Ndongo and Matamba

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Greg Jenner is joined in 17th-century West Africa by Dr Daniel F. Silva and Athena Kugblenu to meet the warrior queen, Njinga of Ndongo and Matamba. One of the most formidable queens in history, Njinga lived a tumultuous life and was able to defy Portuguese colonial rule for decades. For such a successful ruler, not much is known about her. Much of what is said about her in European and Western stories paints a picture of a cold-hearted, bloodthirsty warlord. But how much of that is true?

You’re Dead To Me is a production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4.

Research by Rosie Rich Written by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner with Rosie Rich Produced by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner Assistant Producer: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow Project Management: Isla Matthews Audio Producer: Max Bower

Up next
Jul 3
Empress Dowager Cixi (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner is joined in 19th-century China by historian Professor Yangwen Zheng and comedian Sophie Duker to learn about the Qing dynasty ruler Empress Dowager Cixi.A contemporary of Queen Victoria, Cixi rose from low-ranked concubine to de facto ruler of China for nearly half a ... Show More
28m 7s
Jun 26
History of the Telephone (Radio Edit)
For our 150th episode, Greg Jenner is joined by historian Professor Iwan Morus and comedian Catherine Bohart to learn about the history of the telephone on its 150th anniversary.The inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, was granted the American patent for his new comm ... Show More
28m 8s
Jun 24
Announcing Series 12
Greg Jenner looks ahead to the new series of You're Dead to Me.If you’re in the UK, listen first on BBC Sounds, or watch on iPlayer from Friday 26 June. If you’re outside the UK, you can find us on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts, with the new series beginning on Friday ... Show More
1m 51s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2023
Njinga: queen, warrior, diplomat
Queen Njinga, the 17th-century ruler of Ndongo and Matamba, in modern-day Angola, established an impressive reputation for her skills as a warrior and diplomat. At a time when Portuguese colonists were ramping up operations in the region, Njinga had to fight tooth and nail for su ... Show More
37m 34s
Feb 2023
Queen Nzinga 2023
Nzinga was the warrior queen who held back Portuguese colonization in her African kingdoms of Ndongo and Matamba, kept many of her people from being captured and traded, offered refuge to anyone who needed it, and used every move at her disposal (including shifting alliances, rel ... Show More
57m 6s
Feb 2021
Queen Njinga's Cleverness
<p>Queen Njinga ruled the united kingdoms of Ndongo and Matamba while facing off against the constant threat of Portuguese colonization. All it took was the cunning to know who to trust and when. [Support Noble Blood on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/noblebloodtales. Noble ... Show More
28m 31s
Feb 2023
Queen Nzinga of Ndongo & Matamba
Nzinga was the Queen regnant of the joint kingdoms of Ndongo and Matamba, in modern day Angola in Africa. She stood up to the Portuguese colonialists and defended her people from enslavement. Her brilliance, pride and perseverance forced the Portuguese to recognize her kingdoms a ... Show More
18m 20s
Mar 2023
317: African Amazons
A story spanning modern-day Ghana, Angola, and Benin, historian Luke Pepera joins Tom and Dominic to discuss the tradition of African queens, female warriors, and military commanders. Through the lives of Queen Nzinga of Ndongo, the Dahomey warriors, and the Ashanti Queen mothers ... Show More
53m 11s
May 2025
Women who ruled over Africa
From rainmaking queens to dogged isolationists, the lives and reigns of Africa’s female rulers have long been shrouded in mystery, misunderstanding and misogyny. Over the centuries and throughout the continent, these individuals navigated the rigid traditions of their own culture ... Show More
39m 58s
Jun 2020
The Bloody Queen of Madagascar
<p>Stories from history are not kind to Queen Ranavalona of the Kingdom of Imerina. They call her bloodthirsty, mad, a "female Caligula." People were killed under her rule—lots of them, and cruelly. But "madness" doesn't tell the whole story. Ranavalona was a canny political lead ... Show More
27m 18s
Feb 2024
The Queen of Sheba and African History
We're joined by return guest Princess O'Nika Auguste, here to share the story of The Queen of Sheba. Princess explains this Queen's connection to Ethiopian, Rastafarian, Yemeni, Islamic, Jewish, Christian, and Black history. Follow Princess's podcast Badass Women of History Suppo ... Show More
1h 4m
Jun 2020
Cleopatra
Join Greg Jenner in Ancient Egypt to meet the famous Queen Cleopatra. Learn all about her remarkable reign, the reason she was prevented from ruling alone, and why she once had to make an entrance wrapped in a duvet.Presented by Greg Jenner Produced by Abi Paterson Script by Gabb ... Show More
14m 44s