but their power rarely spread outside their fortresses or the immediate surrounding area. The country was finally reunited by Pedro IV of the Água Rosada kanda. Pedro IV declared a doctrine of shared power by which the throne would shift (in due time) from Kinlaza to the Kimpanzu and back., while the Água Rosada appear to have continued as neutral in Pedro's fortress of Kibangu. The system functioned sporadically, with considerable fighting, until 1764 when José I of the Kinlaza faction usurped the throne and thrust the country back into civil war. The Kinlaza enjoyed a short-lived second dynasty that ended in 1788. After that, the throne moved through various royal hands until the kingship was extinguished in 1914. Elections The selection of kings of Kongo was by a variety of principles, as kings themselves evoked different methods of selection in their letters announcing their succession. Typically the kingdom was said to pass by election, though the electors and the process they used changed over time and according to circumstances. Frequently election seems to have been a combination of elective and hereditary principles. Kings of Kongo The following section is divided into periods based on kanda or house rulership. Most houses reigned of a distinct period with few if any intervals. This is not the case, however; after the Kongo Civil War. During this period you will note the name of each king's kanda alongside their reign. Pre-colonial rulers Ancestors of later rulers According to oral tradition, the first king was the son of chief Nimi and his consort of unknown name, Mwene Mbata's daughter. Most of the succeeding dynasties either claim descent from this union or otherwise derive their legitimacy from it. House of Kilukeni/Lukeni kanda (1390s–1568) House of Kwilu/Kwilu kanda (1568–1622) House of Nsundi/Kinkanga a Mvika kanda (1622–1626) House of Kwilu/Kwilu kanda (1626–1636) House of Kimpanzu/Mpanzu kanda (1636) House of Kinlaza/Nlaza kanda (1636–1665) Civil War (1665–1709) Kings of São Salvador (1665–1678 and 1691–1709) Kings of Kibangu for the House of Kinlaza (1678–1704) Kings of Nkondo for the House of Kimpanzu (1666–1709) Awenekongo of Lemba-Mbula for the House of Kinlaza (1669–1716) Mwenekongo of Mbamba-Lovata for the House of Kimpanzu (1678–1715) Reunification and Elective Monarchy (1709–1888) Pedro IV Nusamu a Mvemba of the House of the Agua Rosada (ruled Kibangu December 1695 – early 1709; ruled reunited kingdom from São Salvador February 1709 – 21 February 1718) Manuel II Mpanzu