[1]: 48 In 1576, Paulo Dias de Novais launched an attack into Kasanze in hopes of opening up trade routes into the interior[1]: 49 The invasion met with initial success under the leadership of Lieutenant João Castanho Veles.
[1]: 49 Despite later efforts to mend fences (and open trade) Kasanze remained hostile to Portuguese overtures and a wall toward further penetration east.
After years of failed attempts to remove th ManiKasanje from his fortification on the Bengo River, another Portuguese assault was launched under the command of Correia de Sousa.
[1]: 52 The Portuguese surrounded and cut through much of the foliage that had protected the state, eventually capturing the king and sending many of his nobles to Brazil as slaves.
[1]: 53 The panji a ndona was even less trusting of Europeans than his predecessor attacking any white coming to close to his nsaka or redoubt, despite being in alliance with the Dutch.