Beginning in the late 16th century, the province was controlled by the Luba Empire and Lunda Kingdom, which spawned a migration of warriors and tribes into neighbouring regions.

The Hemba state of Kyombo Mkubwa became the main client state of the Luba Empire.

The Luba Empire was prosperous and large until his death in 1849.

The Luba Empire (1585-1885) arose in the marshy grasslands of the Upemba Depression in what is now southern Democratic Republic of Congo.

This culture, known as the Upemba, would eventually evolve into the more significant Luba Empire, as well as the Kingdom of Lunda.

Kongolo (or Nkongolo) was a leader of Luba people in the region of Katanga, and the first king of the Luba Empire.

During his rule, the Luba Empire expanded, conquering and assimilating distant peoples, often in densely populated regions.

Kalala Ilunga firmly establishes the Luba Empire.

The Empire extends from the east of Angola to the southeast Democratic Republic of Congo neighbouring the Luba Empire and all the way south of Zambia.

Like the Luba Empire; the Lunda Empire eventually splits creating off-shoot Kingdoms such as the Kazembe.