13 Most powerful Women in African History
In as much as the world paints Africa as a continent that place little value to their Women, This piece would strike such perspection as I take the prevllegde to write on Some African women that have held positions of leadership. whether Queens or Chief’s or leaders of movement, these women have indeed written their names in African history.
These African queens and warriors led men to war ruled kingdoms and also, they called the shots. Some even resisted European colonialism at that time.
Ranavolona I
In 1828, Ranavolona became the first became the sovereign ruler of the kingdom of Madagascar, she ruled for 33 years after positioning herself as queen following the death of a young husband and second cousin, Madama The first, the queen pursued a policy of isolationism and self-sufficiency to reduce the economic and political ties with European powers, repelling a French attack on the coastal town of far points in 1832. Revolution for Bay, the practice of Christianity among the Malagasy population and within a year, nearly all foreigners had left her territory.
On August 16, 1861, the queen died in her sleep. 12000 Zebu were slaughtered and the meat distributed to the population in her honor with the official mourning period lasted nine months, although one of Aluna has been traditionally depicted as a cruel tyrant. Modern historians view her as an astute politician who effectively protected political and cultural sovereignty of her nation from European encroachment.
Hatshepsut (For most of noblewoman)
Was a female pharaoh of Egypt. She reigned between 40 and 73 and 14, 58 B.C. Her rule was relatively peaceful and she was able to launch a program that would see the construction of a great temple at Lakshya. She also launched a successful sea voyage to the land of Pont, a place located somewhere in the north east coast of Africa, Present-day, Eritrea and Ethiopia.
The fact that a woman became pharaoh of Egypt was very unusual. But Hatshepsut ruled as pharaoh rather than we were in power as a great wife of a male king. Initially, Hatshepsut was to serve as a regent. She did this for three years, and for reasons unknown, She became a pharaoh in her own right.
She took on a full throne. Name and statues were created depicting her as a male king right down to the bed. Soon after her death in 14 57 B.C Hatshepsut monuments were attacked, her statues dragged down and smashed and her image in tatters defaced. Although Hatshepsut was given a befitting burial in the Valley of the Kings, her memory was not honored.
Queen Amina
According to tales, she was born around the year 1533 when her mother, Queen Buckwalter uncle, reigned in Zarya, then known as Zazzle.
Zarya is now a major city in present day Kaduna state, northern Nigeria. I mean, his family was very rich as a result of trade and imports.Amina was able to perfect her military skills with a warrior of the Zazzle Calvary. As a young woman, her dexterity and aristocracy eventually led her to emerge as leader of the Zazzle Calvary, during which she acquired great wealth and numerous military honors. By the time she was to assume the throne, she had matured into a fierce warrior which earned the respect of the kingdom's military.During this time, men did not feel threatened when women ruled or were in influential positions. It was a general belief among the Hausa people that anyone could be in a position of authority, regardless of gender. In fact, women could out men who were not effective in their duties.the fall of Shangai and the resulting opposition for the control of trade routes among the powerful kingdoms created room for continual war in among the Hausa people and their neighbors during the 15th and 16th centuries.
this continued strive for power, among the hausa states, Zaria for a time achieved dominance by Amina. The Queen led her first military charge a few months after assuming the resolution for most of her 34 years reign, Amina kept fighting the war, expanding her kingdom to its greatest in history. With an army of 20000 men to house, the queen tried to take surrounding cities up to NUPE and conquered Kano and Katsina. The expansion of Aminals Kingdom granted Zaharias prosperity, and she brought wealth that were unheard of to the kingdom, she has a zounds wealth and power with gold, slaves in agriculture. She also introduce metal armor, including iron helmets and chain mail to her Calvary to protect. Amina also built walls to protect her kingdoms. Most of these walls still stands.
