To answer your question, I need to provide some historical context. Afonso's statement is part of a letter he wrote to King João III of Portugal in 1526. Afonso was the king of Kongo, a historical kingdom in west-central Africa that had converted to Christianity and established diplomatic relations with Portugal in the late 15th century. Afonso was the son of the first Christian king of Kongo, Nzinga a Nkuwu, who was baptized as João I by Portuguese priests. Afonso himself was baptized as Afonso I and became a devout Christian and a loyal ally of Portugal.
However, Afonso's statement also reflects his frustration and disappointment with the Portuguese merchants and officials who were involved in the slave trade. Afonso had agreed to supply slaves to Portugal in exchange for various benefits, such as military assistance, trade privileges, and religious education. However, he soon realized that the slave trade was corrupting his kingdom and undermining his authority. He accused the Portuguese of kidnapping his subjects, violating his laws, and disrupting his administration. He also complained that the Portuguese priests were not fulfilling their duties of teaching and baptizing the people of Kongo.
Therefore, Afonso's statement can be interpreted as both a plea and a protest. On one hand, he was reaffirming his loyalty and friendship to Portugal, hoping to receive more support and respect from the king. On the other hand, he was also challenging the king to uphold his responsibilities and obligations as a Christian ruler and a partner of Kongo. He was implying that his kingdom was as worthy and deserving of protection and justice as Portugal itself. He was also reminding the king that he had inherited his kingdom from his father, just as the king had inherited his from his ancestors. He was appealing to their common faith and heritage as a basis for mutual understanding and cooperation.
I hope this helps you understand the meanings behind Afonso's statement. Have a nice day!