Final answer:
King Afonso I and Queen Nzinga made efforts to resist and negotiate with Portuguese colonial advances in their kingdoms in sub-Saharan Africa. While their success varied, their experiences reflect the complexity of African-Portuguese interactions during this period.
Step-by-step explanation:
The various historical excerpts provided do shed light on the political and social circumstances surrounding King Afonso I of the Kongo and the Portuguese colonial advances in sub-Saharan Africa. King Afonso I sought to ameliorate the issue of indiscriminate enslavement of his people by the Portuguese, often including those with high social status. There are conflicting arguments about whether his measures to control slave trade were effective or not.
Queen Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba led one of the longest acts of resistance, using both diplomatic means and military forces to prevent Portuguese expansion and secure a degree of autonomy for her kingdom. She also converted to Christianity as part of her negotiations with the Portuguese.
The Portuguese colonial endeavors were driven by both religious motivations and the desire for wealth, epitomized by their quest for the lost Christian kingdom believed to be in Africa.
Learn more about African-Portuguese Relations