The Quotidian Politics of a Love Story: Researching, Assembling, and Mobilizing the Lunda Legend in the Late Nineteenth Century

Abstract The love story between Chibinda Ilunga and Lueji, one of the best-known legends Central African history, recounts genesis Mwant Yav dynasty Lunda polity. Previous discussions narrative pitted symbolic interpretations against historical findings. This article asks why became so influential from middle nineteenth century. Instead being an exclusively narrative, represented interests narratives societies brought together by caravan trade in Kasai eastern Angola, including Chokwe, Ambakista, Luba, Imbangala, all whom added components to legend compiled Portuguese explorer diplomat Henrique Dias de Carvalho. took on importance as diverse factions competed for political titles trading profits. In hands Carvalho his informants a tool construct Pax guaranteed Portuguese. By demonstrating quotidian politics story, suggests utility contextualization telling oral traditions appreciate their multiple meanings.