[3] Occasional clashes between the Portuguese and the Ovimbudo occurred in the 18th century, during the opening of overseas exploration routes to the east, areas still strongly resistant to foreign influence.

[7] To undermine the strength of Viye, at the time the strongest of the Ovimbundu kingdoms, Portugal sent troops to the border where they began attacking villages, between 1774 and 1775, suffocating local agricultural production.

[8] Portugal was unable to take the kingdom, but the strategy proved to be successful, as it fueled the formation of a rival faction to the Biennial king Ndjilahulu I, led by the pretender Kangombe I.

The attack was considered brutal, which culminated in the retreat of Soma Inene (king) Chingui I and his force to a slit located in the Lumbanganda mountain range.

[7] In 1778, taking advantage of the calamitous situation caused by a drought, a Portuguese column advanced on Halã-Vala, the capital of the Bailundo kingdom, as well as on the ombalas of Andulo and Viye.

[7] Aware of the difficulty of attacking Bailundo and Viye at the same time, the Portuguese began to put into practice the strategy of defeating the kingdoms from the inside out.