Women have struggled for decades to establish gender parity in a male-dominated society. Over time we are seeing barriers coming down as women slowly but surely take on leadership positions. Looking at the heroic roles of African queens in history, it is hard to explain how they fell from glory. Many years ago, women were leaders and not mere followers looking for a voice. Men bowed to them and they commanded armies.
African history is rich with powerful and influential figures, and among them are remarkable queens who have left an indelible mark on their societies and the world at large. These extraordinary women ruled with strength, intelligence, and vision, shaping the destinies of their kingdoms and leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations.
It is hard to tell how the tide turned to where we are today. Perhaps, the degradation of feminine strength is one of Africa’s colonial inheritances. Many centuries are behind us and a new generation has come. The heroic acts of these African warrior queens will continue to stay in our hearts. Hopefully, many young African girls will read their stories and find inspiration to strive for greatness.
Here are some notable African queens who have shaped history:
- Cleopatra VII of Egypt
- Amina of Zazzau (Zaria)
- Queen Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba
- Queen Makeda of Sheba
- Queen Yaa Asantewaa of Ashanti
- Queen Ranavalona I of Madagascar
- Queen Moremi Ajasoro of Ife
- Queen Ahmose-Nefertari of Egypt
- Queen Labotsibeni Gwamile of Eswatini (Swaziland)
- Queen Anna Nzinga (Nzinga Mbande) of Ndongo and Matamba
Queen Cleopatra VII Theo Philopator (69 BC - 30 BC)
Queen Cleopatra VII Theo Philopator was born in early 69 BC and was the daughter of Ptolemy. The African Queen was a product of incest, a common practice among the Ptolemaic dynasty members. Queen Cleopatra was not from Egypt but was born in Egypt. Subsequently, she ruled as a lawgiver in Egypt and other territories like Cyprus. She married her adolescent brothers, who served as her ceremonial spouses during her tenure. Also, she had love affairs with several men for political reasons. This includes Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony.
Read also: Experience Fad's Fine African Cuisine
Queen Cleopatra and Mark Anthony were more than just political lovers. Furthermore, Queen Cleopatra was also involved in her kingdom’s administrative affairs, solving economic problems during her time. She was a powerful and possessive leader, always protective of her position. Queen Cleopatra killed her sibling when she found out he was a threat to her position.
Today, Queen Cleopatra features in several Egyptian and Roman styles ancient works of art. Cleopatra VII, the last Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, was a formidable leader who skillfully navigated the turbulent political landscape of her time. Fluent in multiple languages, she formed strategic alliances with Rome and played a critical role in Egyptian politics and culture.
In 31 BC, Cleopatra and Mark Antony faced defeat in the Battle of Actium against Octavian (later known as Emperor Augustus). Fearing capture and humiliation by Octavian, Cleopatra and Mark Antony took their own lives. According to historical accounts, Cleopatra committed suicide by allowing an asp (a venomous snake) to bite her.
Queen Amina of Zaria (1533 - 1610)
Queen Amina of Zaria is one of the greatest African warrior queens to date. She was the daughter of King Nikatau and Queen Bakwa Turunku. Born in 1533, Queen Amina was a warrior queen of Zazzau-which is today’s Zaria City in Nigeria’s Kaduna State. She was exposed to military and political affairs by her grandfather.
Within a few months of her ascension to the throne, she embarked on a series of military engagements. She led a big military band, fighting battles continually throughout her tenure. She was the brain behind the innovation of protective amours among the military in Hausa land. Also, she was fond of taking a lover in every town she went through.
Read also: The Story Behind Cachapas
She is credited for constructing the distinctive and fortified ancient city walls known as ganuwar Amina or “Amina Walls” in her area. Apart from her conquest, her contribution to trade and commerce in her state was immense. This African queen contributed to the creation of trade routes throughout Northern Africa. Queen Amina died in 1610.
Amina, the 16th-century queen of the city-state Zazzau (modern-day Zaria in Nigeria), was a warrior queen who led her army in battle.
Queen Moremi Ajasoro
Queen Moremi Ajasoro was born in Offa, a town in southwestern Nigeria. She was famous for her bravery and tactfulness that delivered the people of Ile-Ife from slavery. She was married to Oranmiyan, the son of Oduduwa.
In the 12th century, the people of Ile-Ife were invaded and oppressed by a certain tribe known as “people of the forest”. Queen Moremi disguised and was taken captive by their oppressors. She eventually got married to the leader of the group due to her beauty and tactfulness. Through this position, she discovered her invaders’ secret, and her people were freed.
She returned to her people and to the river spirit to fulfill her pledge. Unfortunately, the spirit demanded for Moremi’s only son, Olurogbo. She kept her vow and sacrificed her only son. To date, the people of Ile-Ife regard themselves as the “eternal children” of Queen Moremi. They also celebrate the Edi festival in honor of her selfless act.
Read also: Techniques of African Jewellery
In Nigerian Yoruba history, Queen Moremi Ajasoro stands as a symbol of bravery and sacrifice. Legend has it that she offered herself as a sacrifice to save her people from external aggression.
Queen Makeda of Sheba
Queen Makeda of Sheba was the first African queen and a female Monarch mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. She was a woman of wealth and power. Her most remarkable impact was defeating the serpent King Awre. She was renowned for her intelligence and cleverness which was backed by her visit to King Solomon’s palace in Jerusalem.
It is essential to know that historians believe she had a son for King Solomon, whose name was Menelik. Believed to be the Queen of Sheba, Makeda’s legendary visit to King Solomon is a tale that spans cultures and religions.
Queen Neferneferuaten Nefertiti (1370 BC)
Queen Neferneferuaten Nefertiti was born in 1370. The name Nefertiti means “the beautiful woman has come”. She was the royal wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten, the 18th Dynasty King of Ancient Egypt. However, she and her husband were famous for championing the religious revolution.
She took an active role in the worship of Aten-a sun god. Some feel her time in power was one of relative stability, although much effort was made by successors to erase that legacy. However, at the excavation site of Hermopolis, there is an image found of her on blocks where she is cast in the role of a classic male conqueror. In the image, the African warrior queen is striking her enemies with mace while grabbing them by the hair.
The disappearance of Nefertiti despite her prominence is still a subject of speculation among scholars. Some scholars believe she died while others think she was exiled after the death of her husband. To date, she is known for her painted sandstone bust.
Queen Ranavalona I of Madagascar
Queen Ranavalona ruled Madagascar for 33 years. She was of Merina’s descent on the island. Queen Ranavalona was a commoner but adopted into a royal family. Her adoption was a reward for her father’s courageous act of exposing the murder plot against the Merina King, Adianampoinimenia. Subsequently, she married the King’s son, Radama.
Queen Ranavalona was the first out of the twelve wives of Radama, but had no child for him. After the demise of her husband, she ascended the throne by killing every potential regent. She was a fierce and brutal leader with a horrible reputation. During her tenure, there was no freedom of worship for Christians. Many of them had to flee.
Before her ascension to the throne, the Europeans had access to Madagascar. However, as soon as she succeeded the throne, she reformed the society back to its traditional structure. She was resistant to the European forces and movement. She was cruel towards every opposing subject under her rule. One of her common forms of punishment is “tanguin“-a form of punishment in which offenders were given tangena to eat. Despite her tyrannical rule, she kept Madagascar from becoming a miniature England and made Madagascar an independent state.
Queen Ranavalona I, who ruled Madagascar in the 19th century, was known for her strong opposition to European influence and her efforts to preserve Malagasy traditions.
Queen Nandi (1760 - 1827)
Queen Nandi was born in 1760 in Melmoth, South Africa, and she was Shaka Zulu’s mother-one of the Zulu Kings in South Africa. She was a figure of strength to the kingdom of Zulu. However, she was strong and resilient. She was determined in her heart that her son, Shaka, would be one of the greatest kings. There were times when she could not cater to herself and her son, especially during the 1802 food shortage referred to as “Madlathule,” meaning “Eat and be quiet”.
Through her determination, Shaka became a great king. Queen Nandi’s steadfastness had a positive influence on the kingdom. She inculcated and instilled great values in her son, and it was evident in the way Shaka treated his subjects, especially women. Also, she supported her son tirelessly, resulting in many exploits and border extensions during her son’s tenure. Although she died in 1827, her work lives on. She may not have been among the fiercest African warrior queens but she raise a great warrior king.
Queen Muhumuza
Queen Muhumuza was married to a Rwandan King, Kigeli IV. She was one of the formidable African warrior queens with exceptional activism. After the demise of her husband, she rebelled against Rwandan colonial powers and moved to Uganda. Also, she was a woman of extraordinary character and spiritual powers. She became the spiritual leader of the Nyabinghi cult which was centered around Queen Nyabinghi-another very influential African queen.
However, she is most famous for her political movement and social activism. She waged war against the three colonial powers in the region; the Germans, the British, and the Belgians from the neighboring Congo. She fought fearlessly for human rights, resisting many norms that could limit the right of women. The Nyabinghi cult was one centered around resistance and was seen as the religion of the oppressed. Queen Muhumuza’s bravery earned her the name Rutatiina-Mireego which means “one who never fears bows and arrows”.
Queen Yaa Asantewa (1840 - 1921)
Queen Yaa Asantewa was born in 1840. She was the queen mother of Ejisu in Ashanti Empire, now part of modern-day Ghana. Her most remarkable contribution was in the war (war of the golden stool) against British colonialism. The British sent some of the Asante Kings to exile and looted their lands. Furthermore, the British Governor-General requested the “golden stool” of the Asante people. The golden stool was a symbol of the Asante kingdom.
She was an intellectual politician and a political activist. The African queen died in 1921. However, she remains a figure of bravery in the history of the Asanti kingdom. Yaa Asantewaa, the queen mother of the Ashanti Empire in present-day Ghana, led a brave resistance against British colonialism in the late 1800s.
The Kandakes of Kush
Kandake Amanirenas- The African Queen Who Made Rome Tremble
“Kandake” meaning “great woman,” was used as a dynastic name for the Queens of Moreo, the capital of Kush (Ethiopia). Many African female warriors ruled Ethiopia. Some ruled with their husbands while others ruled in their own right. Historians claim women mainly ruled Moreo. Among them was a Candace that ruled in 332 BC. The Candace of 332 BC was a brave and formidable leader. Her bravery was evident in the way she prevented Alexander the Great from entering Kush. Alexander had to retreat to Egypt. Another credible story is that of Kandake Amanirenas of 22 BC.
She was a fearless warrior in the history of Ethiopia. Also, she waged war against the Roman forces, but Gaius Petronius defeated her. Less than six years following their victory over the armies of Queen Cleopatra in Egypt in 31 BC, the Romans marched their forces south to conquer the kingdom of Kush, which was also ruled by a Queen, known to her subjects as Amanirenas and to the Romans as the ‘Candace’.
Amanirenas was the consort of King Teriteqas who died shortly before the Roman invasion. The Queen assumed full control of the kingdom instead of her son, Prince Akinidad, under unusual circumstances just as the kingdom faced its darkest hour. Both Roman accounts and a recently translated Meroitic chronicle confirm that around 24BC, Kush's former capital of Napata was sacked by the Romans (known as the Tǝmeya in local accounts), who were nevertheless forced to retreat north to Qasr Ibrim in Lower Nubia (southern Egypt), having failed to conquer Kush.
In early 22 BC Meroitic forces re-appeared in Lower Nubia under the command of Amanirenas, who “marched against the garrison [Qasr Ibrim] with many thousands of men.” The Queen sent her envoys to the fort who were then escorted to the emperor Augustus, who had set up camp on the Greek Island of Samos. Augustus submitted to all the demands made by Queen Amanirenas’ envoys and withdrew the Roman border further north to Maharraqa. The Queen, on the other hand, gave the Romans nothing in exchange, choosing to retain the statues (and presumably, captives) taken during earlier raids on Roman territories.
Amanirenas returned to her capital Meroe, and commissioned the construction of a temple that was painted with images of bound Roman captives kneeling at her feet. The Queen, or one of her successors, buried the bronze head of Augustus in its staircase, representing Kush’s victory over a formidable foe. At least six women sovereigns (Kandake) would ascend to the throne of Kush after her. Meroitic texts and artwork commissioned by her successors; Queen Armanishakheto and Queen Amanikhatashan, borrowed heavily from the iconography of Queen Amanirenas, including depictions of bound Roman captives stabbed with knives or pierced with arrows -pointing to the enduring legacy of Queen Amanirenas on the succession of royal women in the kingdom of Kush.
Queen Njinga Mbande of Ndongo and Matamba (1583-1663)
Queen Njinga, also known as Anna de Sousa Nzinga Mbande, was a skilled diplomat and military strategist who ruled Ndongo (present-day Angola) in the 17th century. In the face of Portuguese colonial aggression, Nzinga played a pivotal role in resisting their advances. She became one of the most skilled diplomats and military strategists of her time.
Nzinga’s first notable diplomatic success came when she attended a peace negotiation with the Portuguese governor, João Correia de Sousa, in 1622. According to the prevailing custom, the Portuguese offered Nzinga a low seat as a sign of disrespect. Quick-witted, she had one of her servants kneel on all fours, using him as a human chair, to elevate herself to an equal level with the Portuguese.
During her rule, Nzinga actively engaged in military campaigns to defend her territory and people from Portuguese invasions. In 1635, Nzinga took her political and military prowess to the kingdom of Matamba, where she solidified her position as its queen. Queen Anna Nzinga’s reign is also notable for her efforts to promote and protect her people’s rights, particularly in the face of the devastating slave trade.
Queen Anna Nzinga’s legacy endures as a symbol of African resistance against European colonialism and slavery. Her diplomatic skills, military prowess, and determination to defend her people have inspired generations of leaders. Today, Anna Nzinga is revered as a national hero in Angola, and her legacy stands as a symbol of the nation’s struggle for independence and sovereignty.
Like her ancient counterpart in Kush, the famous warrior queen of Ndongo established a precedent in her kingdom that would enable the succession of other royal women to the throne. Queen Njinga would be succeeded by at least 6 Queens, who reigned with full authority while also successfully fending off several invasions by the Portuguese colonial armies of Angola well into the 18th century.
The Complexity of Women's Roles in African History
African history is awash with stories of powerful women like Amanirenas and Njinga. However, popular writing about women's history in Africa often relies on blanket assertions that either vilify pre-colonial societies as “repressive” or romanticize them as “egalitarian.” But the historical evidence does not sustain the universal validity of either of these claims. Even when the analysis of women's agency is restricted to the political sphere, the sheer diversity and complexity of African societies undermines any universalist approach to pre-colonial African women's history.
The two examples of Kush and Ndongo outlined above, for example, are among the few societies in African history -and indeed in World history- where numerous women are known to have occupied the highest political office and continued to retain their authority over a long period. In other societies, such as the kingdom of Kongo, women only assumed a direct role in politics following the decline of central authority during the 17th and 18th centuries -contrary to the often-repeated claim that Kongo transitioned from a matrilineal society to a patrilineal society.
In the city-states of the East African coast, the political power of Swahili women declined after the 16th century as the cities transitioned from republics controlled by the heads of powerful lineages -some of whom could be women, to kingdoms or sultanates with hereditary dynasties or lineages.
In the West African kingdom of Benin and the Hausa city-state of Kano, women's direct participation in politics increased after the expansion of central power during the 15th and 16th centuries, following the rise of the powerful Queens Idia and Hauwa, whose legacy resulted in the creation of the permanent office of Queen mother, known as; Iyoba in Benin, and Maidaki in Kano.
The participation of women in pre-colonial African politics was therefore determined by several historical processes that were often unique to a given society. This is best exemplified by medieval Ethiopia where Queen Eleni (ca. 1431-1524) became the de facto ruler of the empire and the first woman to hold such a high office.
Queen Idia, Queen Mother of Benin
We do not have exact dates for Idia’s life, but her son Esigie became Oba (king) in 1504, and by that time was a full-grown adult, meaning she was likely alive between 1440 and 1470. Traditionally, the mother of a reigning king was put to death, but Esigie instead elevated her to “a unique position in society”, giving her a palace and vassal chiefs and villages, and creating for her the title of iyoba (Queen Mother, literally “mother of the oba”).
During her son’s reign, Idia served as a priestess and senior chief, doing all she could to ensure the success of her son’s reign. In oral tradition, she is remembered as “the only woman who went to war”, fighting in her son’s campaigns against the Benin’s enemies to the north, as well as a patron of the arts and culture.
Such was Idia’s influence that she permanently changed the role of the Queen Mother in Benin custom. Before Idia, Queen Mothers were seen as a “threat to the future Oba and throne.” After Idia, Queen Mothers were “viewed as instrumental to the protection of and well-being of the oba and, by extension, the kingdom.” Idia’s ivory mask was likely carved by order of her son, and, if he established the tradition followed by his successors, wore it at official ceremonies for spiritual protection.
Unfortunately, Idia’s ivory mask is not in Nigeria. Of the two known copies, one is in the Metropolitan Museum in New York City, and the other is in the British Museum in London. As repatriation of cultural patrimony gains traction, perhaps someday the Benin’s first Queen Mother will be allowed her triumphal return home.
