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Captive Passage
has been made
possible in part by:
Recognition of
additional sponsors
for this exhibition
can be found by
clicking on
ExhibitionSponsors.
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Don Alvaro King of Kongo giving Audience to ye Dutch in 1642
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The Portuguese had a prominent presence in the Kongo region for centuries.
Soon after their arrival there in 1485, Portuguese explorers managed to convert the
Kongo king and members of his court to Christianity. In so doing, they forged strong
social and political bonds and gained valuable influence at court, enabling them to
take advantage of some of Kongo's most precious resources: gold, copper, ivory,
and slaves. The king, who was initially converted to Christianity, returned to his
original religion, but his son and successor, Affonso, remained a Catholic and allowed
continued Portuguese exploitation of Kongo gold and copper mines. When Affonso
was overthrown, the new king eventually left the Catholic church and returned to
more traditional customs of his people.
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