In 1624, Nzinga was baptized Ana de Sousa, converting to Catholicism to aid diplomacy.
In 1624, Nzinga was baptized as Ana de Sousa in Luanda, symbolizing her conversion to Catholicism. This strategic move came as she solidified her rule over the Kingdom of Ndongo. By aligning with the Catholic Church, she sought to establish a diplomatic foothold with the Portuguese colonizers, leveraging her Christian faith to bolster recognition and negotiate terms that favored her kingdom's interests. The baptism also served to demonstrate Nzinga’s adeptness in adapting to and maneuvering within the geopolitical landscape dominated by European powers.