Queen Nzinga Mbande of Angola - African Kingdoms

This lesson on Queen Nzinga Mbande of the Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms in Angola provides an engaging exploration of her 17th-century resistance against Portuguese colonization. Queen Nzinga is celebrated for her diplomatic acumen and military prowess, which she used to protect her people’s independence and resist the slave trade. Students will learn about her key achievements, including forging alliances and leading in battle, making her an emblematic figure of resistance and empowerment in African history.

The activities in this lesson include watching a video about Queen Nzinga’s life, followed by selecting the correct summary, which challenges students to pay close attention and evaluate different interpretations of her legacy. Additionally, the lesson involves a timeline activity where students sort events into chronological order, enhancing their understanding of the historical context of her reign. There’s also a task to read about her major achievements and rank them, requiring students to justify their choices using the PEEKA paragraph planning method. This structure encourages critical thinking and effective communication skills as they construct reasoned arguments. A recap quiz at the end of the lesson helps consolidate learning and ensures students can recall important details about Queen Nzinga’s rule and her significant role in history.