Question

How did the rulers of the Kongo control their lands

Answer 1

Villages were grouped into disrticts and/or provinces, governed by royal officials, but each village had its own chief. Hope this helps, good luck

Answer 2

Answer: Villages were grouped in wene, small states, led by awene (plural of mwene) or mani to the Portuguese. Awene lived in mbanza, larger villages or small towns of somewhere between 1,000 and 5,000 citizens. Higher nobility typically chose these leaders. The king also appointed lower-level officials to serve, typically for three-year terms, by assisting him in patronage.