By the early twentieth century, having a “Nlaza father” did not indicate biological fatherhood, but rather that one was a member of the Kinlaza kanda clan.

This woman is likely a direct relative of Anna, the daughter of Afonso I, and is therefore the actual progenitor of the Kinlaza's who would rule Mbata, however sources vary.

Garcia II would begin a campaign of consolidation and political control by crushing the Kinkanga and Kimpanzu clans.

The nascent Kongolese church, while mostly consisting of foreigners, was not excluded from the lineage-politics, with the Kinlaza's aligning with the Capuchin missionaries and the Kimpanzu more grouped towards the Jesuits.

He, attempting to cut off anticipated Portuguese influence there, invaded the Ndembu region, starting a war with the Angolan settlers there.

The Sonyo began to assert their independence against the centralization efforts of the Kinlaza, and with Dutch weapons and support, engaged in full-fledged war with Kongo over a period of twenty-five years.

[2] This continued to reflect Church politics, as Sonyo began to receive definite Protestant influence, while Kongo remained steadily Catholic.

This led to an alliance of the Angolans with the Kimpanzu in Sonyo, with a successful and destructive campaign against the capital, Sao Salvador.

A southern branch, led by Ana Afonso de Leão did not hold power for a long time, and indeed, her home territory of Nkondo (Mucondo) was their primary base.

The queen Violante of Wandu would conduct an invasion of Kongo in 1764, driving King Alvaro IX, another Kinlaza, from the throne temporarily.