Nkuwu a Ntinu (Portuguese: Encu a Motino; c. 1422 – c. 1470) was the fourth manikongo from the Lukeni kanda dynasty to rule the Kingdom of Kongo and reigned during the mid 15th century between c. 1450 and c. 1470.
| Nkuwu a Ntinu | |
|---|---|
| Mwene Kongo | |
| Reign | c. 1450-c. 1470 |
| Predecessor | Nlaza of Kongo |
| Successor | João I |
| Born | c. 1422 |
| Died | c. 1470 (aged at least 47/48) |
| Dynasty | Lukeni kanda |
| Father | Lukeni lua Nimi |
Background
editManikongo Nkuwu a Ntinu was the son of the Kongo's founder, Lukeni lua Nimi. Little is known about him or his reign other than he did not rule until after both his cousins had been king. This was required of the kingdom's founder to keep the young state together. King Nkuwu a Ntinu was the father of Nzinga a Nkuwu, the king ruling Kongo when the Portuguese arrived in 1483. King Nkuwu a Ntinu was the last of the pre-Christian kings of Kongo.