Greatest African women, in pre colonial era every African must know
There has been a view that women in pre colonial societies in Africa were steeped in the patriarchal order,dimished women and consigned to home roles however Africa has had great exceptional women that have time in memorial shown great abilities in fields of leadership, military and economies, many African societies provided free space to ladies with extra ordinary talents, Such abilities have long in time helped to develop African societies they lived in Many African societies have always given women space to exhibit their vitality , societies like Dahomey depended on female soldiers the amazons for defense and survival of their kingdom , other societies also depended on women because many of them had women in top leadership space, here are some of notable women leaders in pre colonial Africa, every son of the continent must know
Queen Mbakayi Kajama of Zulu
Born in 1750 queen Mbakayi was a Zulu princess and head of qulusi military kraal, a Zulu tribe based in abaqulusi, kwazulu Natal. She later became a regent during the reign of her brother Senzangakhona who ruled Zulu up to 1816
Queen Mbakayi was a strong African warrior and a kingmaker who served in three reigns in Zulu kingdom, at her best she was credited for bringing stability in the Zulu kingdom; she ensured the continuation of Zulu line and monarchy.
In 1781 upon passing of Zulu king, Mbakayi reorganized that direct heir to throne senzangakhona was too young to ascent to the chiefdom, revolutionary Mbakayi appointed herself a regent, something unheard at the time.
in 1816 after passing of senzangakhona , Mbakayi was quick to see the weakness of Sigujana the puppeteer heir , she arranged for return of Shaka and his mother Nandi who had been in exile, she clandestinely supported Shaka to ascend the throne .she closely served as a chief advisor on warfare during shaka’s reign. Even when Shaka lost his mind after death of his mother Nandi, Mbakayi plotted with Dingane and Mhalangana senzangakhona to assassinate Shaka in 1828. In order to ensure Dingane smooth ascension to the throne, Mbakayi later organized for Mhalangana to be assassinated as well.
Yaa Asantewaa
Born on 17th October 1840 Yaa Asantewaa was a queen mother of Ejisu that was located in Ashanti Empire present day Ghana. After showing good military skills her brother Nana Edwesuhene appointed her as the ruler of Ejisu .Yaa Asantewaa became the symbol of resistance to British rule in west Africa. In 1900 she led the Ashanti in the war of the golden stool where she tempted to keep sovereignty of Africans from British aggressors
In 1889 when the British exiled Ashanti EJisuhene, the then British governor of gold coast Frederick Hudson demanded the Golden stool, the symbol of Authority in Asante nation, this angered Yaa Asantewaa , she mobilized natives to defend the golden stool hence she took leadership of Ashanti in 1900 gaining support from other Asante nobility, under her command, the British were forced to retreat to Kumasi , eventually the governor requested from London of well equipped army to captured Yaa Asantewaa, however her spirit was not broken, she fought till she was captured and sent to exile in Seychelles where she died on October 17, 1921.
Queen Amina of Zaria Nigeria
Queen is a historical figure in Kaduna, now in North West region of Nigeria. She was born in middle of sixteenth century; she was a daughter to king Nikatau of zazzau and queen Turuku. According to tales, she was taken custody by her grandfather, who put her in his court . she was placed under careful political and military training .when her parents died and his brother took over kingship, she distinguished herself as a leading warrior of kingdom’s army. Under her command, there was massive success across the region
As luck would have it, Amina was crowned queen of Zaria when his brother died in 1576, within months after being crowned, she expanded her kingdom borders through a series of strategic battles, she innovated new military techniques like using protective armor . as a determined African woman warrior she personally led her army on the battle fields conquering towns and villages , she a good trader too she dominated trade routes that connected western Sudan with Egypt to the northwest and Mali to the north. Her reign lasted for 34 years till she died in front battle in Bida in 1610. Nigerians refer to her as Amina Nana de Yar Bakwa ta san meaning the woman capable as a man.
Nandi(mother of Shaka) of Zulu
Nandi was a born to Bhebe, a chief of Elangeni.he she born out of wedlock. She gave birth to Shaka and together they stayed together with senzangakhona’ Kraal. However their relationship worsened and did not progress because she was not the official wife of the king, she had to protect her son from assassination and enemies, she was forced to exile among the mthethwa, she found it good place to raise Shaka, it was here her son showed extra ordinary military skills and tactics. She raised her son to be a legendary champion. When Shaka took over kingship, Nandi became his chief advisor.
She has always referred great as his son, Nandi has always been referred to a determined single African mother who believed in her destiny. For all women who find themselves in complicated situations, single mothers, women abandoned by their husbands,donot forget that they must always believe in luck and keep faith in nature and fate, in most cases it is difficulty that a man is able to show best of himself
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