LA FEMME CRUELLE OU ZINGA, REINE D'ANGOLA. par M.L.C.

Bouillon, (France: n.p., 1774. Third edition. Small 8vo. Two parts bound together: 166 (lacks half-title); 132 pp. Castilhon's account of the reign of Zinga, Queen of Angola in the 17th century, was originally published in 1769 under a slightly less lurid title, "Zingha, Reine D'Angola" [her name has been spelled in various ways since her reign], with a second edition in 1770. This edition is apparently the first version of her highly colorful biography to appear under this title; in the preface, Castilhon acknowledges the sources for his work, including a Capuchin monk, Antoine de Gaete, who was a missionary in Angloa during the time of Zinga's rule. Zinga (ca. 1583-1663) ruled Ndongo (later Angola) for forty years; she is characterized as clever, powerful, diplomatic, and adept at dealing with foreign powers. At a chaotic time for the continent of Africa, when European powers were fighting for control of both territory and the slave trade, she navigated military and political pathways to strengthen her kingdom's position, playing the Dutch and Portuguese against each other, and protecting her kingdom from other African states. Castilhon characterizes her as "ambitieuse, fiere & farouche." Tales of revenge and duplicity also became part of the retelling of her life; she is considered a folk hero in Angola. OCLC locates eight copies of the 1769 edition, three copies of the 1770 edition, and one copy of this edition (Bibliotheque Nationale). Old light tideline through portion of upper text, but an attractive copy. Contemporary mottled calf (rubbed), spine richly got with ornaments and title, marbled endpapers all edges red. (#6343).