Following the Bantu Migration from Western Africa, Bantu kingdoms and empires began

to develop in southern Central Africa. In the 1450s, a Luba from the royal family
Ilunga Tshibinda married Lunda queen Rweej and united all Lunda peoples. Their son
Mulopwe Luseeng expanded the kingdom. His son Naweej expanded the empire further
and is known as the first Lunda emperor, with the title Mwata Yamvo (mwaant yaav,
mwant yav), the "Lord of Vipers". The Luba political system was retained, and
conquered peoples were integrated into the system. The mwata yamvo assigned a
cilool or kilolo (royal adviser) and tax collector to each state conquered.[14]

Numerous states claimed descent from the Lunda. The Imbangala of inland Angola
claimed descent from a founder, Kinguri, brother of Queen Rweej, who could not
tolerate the rule of mulopwe Tshibunda. Kinguri became the title of kings of states
founded by Queen Rweej's brother. The Luena (Lwena) and Lozi (Luyani) in Zambia
also claim descent from Kinguri. During the 17th century, a Lunda chief and warrior
called Mwata Kazembe set up an Eastern Lunda kingdom in the valley of the Luapula
River. The Lunda's western expansion also saw claims of descent by the Yaka and the
Pende. The Lunda linked Central Africa with the western coast trade. The kingdom of
Lunda came to an end in the 19th century when it was invaded by the Chokwe, who
were armed with guns.[15]