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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
 Posted - 16 May 2006 : 19:26:19
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I stumbled on some material yesterday about the Kingdom of Kush that emerged in 900 BC is Eastern Africa just south of Egypt. The material indicated that they even conquered Egypt and ushered in the 21st Dynasty or better known as the Black Pharaohs. They were known to have powerful women rulers who conquered far and wide and stayed on until the 1st Century BC.
This kingdom was known to invade with ships and was technologically advanced. The civilization that took over was based in Axum in present day Ethiopia who were known for the building of obelisks. Currently the one standing in Rome, which has become a source of international outcry for the looted artifacts form Africa to be returned, came from Axum. Just let you know, the Italians and the French tried to colonize Ethiopia but failed. It was the only country in Africa not colonized and hence the privilege of having the AU headquartered there.
What now bugles my mind is how women have lost so much political power in Africa. In pre-colonial times women have ruled across the continent well before many parts of the world. In fact there is a long history of their influence in Dahomey where they were the sole guards in the royal courtyards and wielded a lot of power.
The name AMAZON is actually named after a group of warrior women who emerged in medieval times originally in Greece, parts of present day Afghanistan, Latin America and Africa. They were known for their killings and their sexist’s agenda against men. So there is nothing new with the new feminist movement. They never married.
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“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 16 May 2006 : 22:52:24
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'sexist agenda against men'.....that has nothing to do with Feminism!!!
Feminists just want equal rights to men, to redress the balance. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 16 May 2006 : 22:57:21
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Good you corrected me. I personally have not had any schooling of the movement. I only learned a few thing about discimination at work.
May be this is why many men tend to be scared when they hear feminism as though it meant that they are to be "conquered". Can you help with related sites. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
Edited by - kondorong on 16 May 2006 23:01:10 |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 16 May 2006 : 23:28:37
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I dont know web sites but will look up some good books for you to read.......you may become a convert to the feminist ideals....men can be feminists too....  |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 16 May 2006 : 23:31:03
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| How? I thought we could only become "menist"? |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 16 May 2006 : 23:36:15
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You can be in support of equal rights for women...that makes you a feminist......you dont have to be a women! |
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Momodou
Denmark
11700 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2006 : 02:03:12
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Take care not to turn this very important topic on African history into another topic about "feminist". This is how topics become hijacked and deviated from the original discussion.
Kondorong, there were several women warriors in Africa. I once started a discussion on Gambia-l after a request from late Satang Jobarteh who wanted me to help her gather the names and history of African Women warriors. I will see what I can find from Gambia-l archives and post them in this topic.
I have a page on Cheikh Anta Diop also where you can see some of his works.
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11700 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2006 : 16:17:01
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Here are some African Women Legends
Through the 10th and 11th centuries the Hausa states (modern day Nigeria) were ruled by the Habe warrior queens: Kufuru, Gino, Yakumo, Yakunya, Walzana, Daura, Gamata, Shata, Batatume, Sandamata, Yanbamu, Gizirgizir, Innagari, Jamata, Hamata, Zama and Shawata. Centuries later Amina, daughter of Queen Turunku of the Songhai in mid-Niger ruled the Hausa empire from 1536 to 1573. She extended her nation's boundaries to the Atlantic coast, founded cities and personally led her army of 20,000 soldiers into battle.
Mbande Zinga was the sister and advisor of the king of Ngola (today Angola) and served a his representative in negotiating treaties with the Portuguese. She became queen when her brother died in 1624 and appointed women, including her two sisters Kifunji and Mukumbu, to all government offices. When the Portuguese broke the peace treaty she led her largely female army against them inflicting terrible casualties while also conquering nearby kingdoms in an attempt to build a strong enough confederation to drive the Portuguese out of Africa. She accepted a truce and then agreed to a peace treaty in 1635. She continued to rule her people and lived to be 81. When Angola became an independent nation in 1975 a street in Luanda was named in her honor.
Llinga, a warrior queen of the Congo armed with ax, bow and sword fought the Portuguese in 1640. Women warriors were common in the Congo where the Monomotapa confederacy had standing armies of women.
Kaipkire, warrior leader of the Herero tribe of southwest Africa in the 18th century led her people in battles against British slave traders. There are records of Herero women fighting German soldiers as late as 1919.
Nandi was the warrior mother of Shaka Zulu. She battled slave traders and trained her son to be a warrior. When he became King he established an all-female regiment which often fought in the front lines of his army.
Mantatisi, warrior queen of the baTlokwas in the early 1800s fought to preserve her tribal lands during the wars between Shaka Zulu and Matiwane.
She succeeded in protecting the baTlokwas heritage although her son, who became King when she died, was eventually defeated by Mahweshwe.
Madame Yoko ruled and led the army of the fourteen tribes of the Kpa Mende Confederacy, the largest tribal group in 19th century Sierra Leone. At that time at least 15% of all the tribes in Sierra Leone were led by women, today approximately 9% have women rulers.
Menen Leben Amede was Empress of Ethopia. She commanded her own army and acted as regent for her son Ali Alulus. She was wounded and captured in a battle in 1847 but was ransomed by her son and continued to rule until 1853.
Seh-Dong-Hong-Beh, was a leader of the Dahomey Amazons under King Gezo. In 1851 she led an army of 6,000 women against the Egba fortress of Abeokuta.
Because the Amazons were armed with spears, bows and swords while the Egba had European cannons only about 1,200 survived the extended battle. In 1892 King Behanzin of Dahomey (now Benin) was at war with the French colonists over trading rights. He led his army of 12,000 troops, including 2,000 Amazons into battle. Despite the fact that the Dahomey army was armed only with rifles while the French had machine guns and cannons, the Amazons attacked when the French troops attempted a river crossing, inflicting heavy casualties. They engaged in hand to hand combat with the survivors eventually forcing the French army to retreat. Days later the French found a bridge, crossed the river and defeated the Dahomey army after fierce fighting. The Amazons burned fields, villages and cities rather than let them fall to the French but merely delayed Dahomey being absorbed as a French colony.
In the late 19th century Mukaya, the leader of the Luba people of central Africa whose nation stretched along the rain forest from Zaire to northern Zambia, led her warriors in battle against enemy tribes and rival factions.
Initially she fought alongside her brother Kasongo Kalambo, after he was killed in battle she assumed sole control of the empire and the army.
Nehanda (1862-1898) was a priestess of the MaShona nation of Zimbabwe. She became a military leader of her people when the British invaded her country. She led a number of successful attacks on the English but was eventually captured and executed.
Taytu Betul (1850-1918) was Empress of Ethopia. During her 14 year reign she established and named the modern capital of Addis Ababa, she led troops in battle and negotiated peace treaties. She retired from public life after the death of her husband.
Yaa Asantewaa (1850-1921) the Queen Mother of one of the Asante states of Ghana led her army in continuous battles against the British until her capture.
"If you the men of Ashanti will not go forward, then we will. We the women will. I shall call upon you my fellow women. We will fight the white men. We will fight until the last of us falls in the battlefield." Ya Asantewa
There were a number of women who resisted the French in Senegal. Most popular amongst them were Aline Sitoe Diatta from Casamance who protested against the demand put on the farmers to produce large quantities of rice during the Second World War. She led a fierce resistance against Portuguese colonial domination. In fact, the main female campus at University Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar has been renamed from Claudel to Aline Sittoye Diatta. The stadium in Ziguinchor is also named after her in recognition of her valiant resistance to French presence in the Casamance.
Yacine Bobou led the women of Cayor to war against the French and Ndiembette Mboge the leader of a group of women from Wallo who upon receiving news of the capture of their husbands, gathered themselves in a hut and set themselves on fire. It is told that none of these women screamed or even uttered a word while going through that pain.
These are just some African Women Legends. There are surely many more whose stories have not been written and may be waiting to be recorded. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2006 : 18:35:51
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Thanks momodou
This is not anywhere near what i ever knew. I am amazed of how our women led freedom struggles. I have made a copy of the posting to show to my son as part of his african history lessons that i privately give him. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2006 : 19:19:52
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Thanks Mommodou for sending in this piece. This has helped to restore the reputation of the site in my view which seems to have been going downhill for sometime by losing its Africancentric Focus.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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Momodou
Denmark
11700 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2006 : 23:34:27
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I wonder how far the late Satang Jobarteh was with her research on West African Women Legends before her passing away. She wrote a book on Gambian Women but I hope someone continue the research on African Women Legends.
The following were some of the questions she wanted to have answers on:
1. Apart from Yaa Asantewa, the Queen Mother of Ejisu who rallied the Asante troops into resistance against the British in Ghana in 1900, have there been other women warriors in our sub region?
2. There was a woman who resisted the French also in Cassamance but don't really know her name or history. Does anyone have information on this woman they could share with me?
3a. Where there any women rulers (mansas) in the Senegambian region?
3b. If there were, then how did they get to the throne?
3c. What were their functions and relationship with the community as women, their achievements, and what brought about the change or shift?
Some of the above questions are answered in my previous posting but it would be interesting to do more research. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2006 : 18:31:32
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quote:
Originally posted by Momodou
I wonder how far the late Satang Jobarteh was with her research on West African Women Legends before her passing away. She wrote a book on Gambian Women but I hope someone continue the research on African Women Legends.
The following were some of the questions she wanted to have answers on:
1. Apart from Yaa Asantewa, the Queen Mother of Ejisu who rallied the Asante troops into resistance against the British in Ghana in 1900, have there been other women warriors in our sub region?
2. There was a woman who resisted the French also in Cassamance but don't really know her name or history. Does anyone have information on this woman they could share with me?
3a. Where there any women rulers (mansas) in the Senegambian region?
3b. If there were, then how did they get to the throne?
3c. What were their functions and relationship with the community as women, their achievements, and what brought about the change or shift?
Some of the above questions are answered in my previous posting but it would be interesting to do more research.
Momodou, the Casamance lady warrior i think was Aline sitoe Diatta(Jatta). The Stadium in Casamance during the Nations cup in 1992 is named after her. She is named after many schools and places in Senegal. She was a Jola Kabburuus. She resisted French occupation.
There was another lady Yacine Boubou. Youssou Ndour sang both heroines or sheroes. |
madiss |
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Biraago
Gambia
173 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2006 : 01:27:16
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Momodou,
As we review tyranny in Africa, we need to be careful not to fall into the pitfalls of romantisation of thge role of the former "rulers". We need to examin how they treated their people, who were mostly regarded as subjects and not equals in a democartic society.
Of course, there are the exeptions like Alin sittoe, Saraunya of Benin, and the recent.
You have also forgotten the recent true legends like Jogina Machel of Mozambqwe, Titina Sillah of Guinea Bissau among others.
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Momodou
Denmark
11700 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2006 : 02:04:06
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Birago, I don't understand where you see tyrany in these women legends. They are part of the African History and there is nothing to be embarrased about.
I would like to hear more about Jogina Machel of Mozambqwe, Titina Sillah of Guinea Bissau so that I can add them to my list. What was their roles?
By the way, I would recommend this book about the four largest brotherhoods; the Qadiri, the Tijani, the Mouride, and the Layenne in Senegal: http://www.gambia.dk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=424
I was surprised to read the role of some the Sheikhs and their relations with the French during the colonial days. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Biraago
Gambia
173 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2006 : 13:44:43
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Momodou,
Thanks for the response.
First: Titina Sillah and Jogina Machel were both teachers and revolutionary leaders in the struggle for the liberation of mozambique and Guinea Bissau respectively. Unfortunately, they were both killed in the struggle.
You could find their pictures and historical facts in the Google achieves i believe. Or check for Cabral's history, I don't have my material achieves at present, that's why I could'nt send them to you immidiately.
Saraunya was one of the leaders of the worior women of Dahomey that also fought against the colonialists.
Regarding our history and so-called legends. The question is not about being ashamed or not but to be as objective as we could in analysing the facts.
The main areas that our former rulers comitted blunders are for example, "Taxa colection". In this area, a usery system against the will of the populations was the order of the day. The acenssion to thethrown was very similar for both sexes, either by killing and invading other communities, assasinations, coups and many other forms. The leadership of the women did'nt mean that, they were nice and gentle to the populace. Even brutallity was used by both men and women leaders on many occasions.
So, for this matter, we need to re-examin our stance on the method of governance an dagree or disagree on their merits and de-merits as we do with todays leaders.
In the 60's and 70's, it was very common for revolutionaries to refers back to these former kings and "Jihadists" inorder to mobilise the masses against the neocolonial regimes but during the 80's most of us had already started to take a more objective view of the role these people played (positive and negative) to adopt and aplaud the laudable acts and reject the actions that were in some cases criminal.
I hope you understand my line in this debate. |
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ABRAHAM
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2006 : 15:14:03
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| i learn a lot from momodou, all my life i only read medicine,never try to find the history of africa. can you recommend a book or web site specifically for african history.i will love that. thanks |
njie |
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