Mwene Muji was formed just after 1400 (going by traditional oral genealogical records), and it likely expanded along the Lukenie, Kasai, Kamtsha, Kwilu, and Wamba rivers, without venturing much into the interior.

[2]: 64 At Mwene Muji's height, it covered much of the Lower Kasai Basin and may have included parts of the territory of the Kuba and Pende kingdoms.

[5][4] When the steamers of the Congo Free State came into use, Mwene Muji lost its naval supremacy and thus its dominance over trade.

By the time the Belgians began collecting traditions, the capital Mushie appeared to be a small fishing village and the grand claims from its ruler Muba of them once having imperial status were swept aside.

The 'leaders' and original founders are likely to be the Ntote of Mwene Muji, and representing the Boma kings (Ngeliboma) as elders of them gives them legitimacy.

[6]: 2  A summary of European geographical knowledge of Africa published in 1918 placed Monemugi in modern-day Malawi, speculating that its inhabitants were the Nyamwezi or Maravi.