Kongo Interpreters, Traveling Priests, and Political Leaders in the Kongo Kingdom (15th-19th Century)

Abstract

The article examines the role of Kongo interpreters in the contact between Europeans and their Kongolese hosts from the 15th to the 19th centuries, highlighting the lives of traveling priests, political leaders, and interpreters. Topics include the changing role of interpreters, their role in political and religious context, and their responsibility of translating oral conversations. Also discussed are cultural translation and translation practices based on trade networks.