The African continent is famous for its kings, who ruled certain empires for a particular period. Not only did kings have kingdoms but also some powerful women who led men to war ruled over certain empires and had great achievements. This article will discuss some of the most powerful women rulers in ancient Africa.
#1 Ranavalona I
Ranavalona the 1st, one of the most powerful women rulers, was a ruler of the empire of Madagascar from 1828 to 1861. After placing herself as a queen, Ranavalona followed a rule of seclusion, decreasing economic ties with foreigners. She used the customary practice of forced labor as tax payment to finish projects and establish an army of more than 22000 soldiers. She died in 1861 at an old age.
#2 Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut was the 5th pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt. History confirms her as the 2nd female Pharaoh. She came to the throne of Egypt way back in 1478 BC. She was the chief wife of Thutmose on the 2nd. Egyptologists regard her as one of the most successful rulers, ruling longer than any woman of a native Egyptian kingdom.
#3 Queen Amina
Aminatu was a Hausa warrior ruler of the city-state of Zazzau. The queen ruled in the 16th century. At 16 years, her parents named her Magajiya and gave her over 35 female slaves. Amina received several suitors who tried to marry her. Queen Amina died in 1610 and people remember her today in customary Hausa’s songs as ‘Amina daughter of Nikatau’.
#4 Queen Nandi
Nandi was the daughter of Bhebhe and the mother of Shaka, ruler of the Zulus. She was born in Melmoth in 1760. Senzangakhona impregnated Nandi out of marriage or wedlock. The Mhlongo people demanded Jama’s son to pay for compensation for his act. Nandi demanded over 50 herds of cattle as compensation. Senzangakhona agreed to pay for the compensation which the Mhlongo people wanted to avoid chaos. Queen Nandi died of dysentery in 1827.
#5 Queen Nefertiti
Nefertiti was a ruler of the eighteenth dynasty of Ancient Egypt. She was the royal wife to king Akhenaten. People know Nefertiti and Pharaoh Akhenaten for a religious change in that they worshipped Aten. She ruled during the richest time of Ancient Egyptian history.
She had many titles and among them were Hereditary Princess, Great of Praises, Lady of Grace, Sweet of Love, and Lady of All Women. Other titles were Lady of the two lands and mistress of upper and lower Egypt.
#6 Queen Pokou
Queen Pokou was the ruler of the Baoule ethnic group in the western region of the African continent. Pokou reigned over a branch of the great and powerful Ashanti Kingdom as it increased towards the west.
Queen Pokou was the princess of Ghana, the daughter of Kosiamoa, sibling to Dakon, and niece of Osei Kofi. She passed away after establishing the Baoule Empire. The Baoule ethnic group today inhabit the region between the Bandama river and Komoe river. They comprise more than 10% of the state’s population.
Her legendary action was when the Queen and her people reached River Komoe, and it was not crossable. She asked her religious leader for advice, and he told her that the spirits of the river needed the sacrifice of a high-ranking child to cross the water body. Queen Pokou sacrificed her child by throwing the small baby into the river.
After the great sacrifice, hippopotami appeared and created a bridge that the Queen and her people used to cross to the other bank of the river.
#7 Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba
Nzingha Mbande was the ruler of the Ambundu Empires of Ndongo and Matamba. Mbande got military and political training when she was very young. She reigned during a time of growth in the African slave trade and invasion of the Portuguese Kingdom into SW Africa. Mbande fought for the independence of her Empires against the foreigners in a rule that lasted more than 30 years. People celebrate and remember her for her brilliance, wisdom, and her excellent military methods.
#8 Yaa Asantewaa
She was the Queen of Ejisu in the Ashanti Kingdom. In 1900, she led the War of the Golden Stool against British colonialism. Yaa was born in 1840 in Besease and she was the oldest of the 2 children. The Queen mother entered a polygamous marriage, and she ended up with a daughter. She passed away in 1921 as a successful farmer and mother. Yaa was a politician, leader, and human rights campaigner.
#9 Amanirenas
Amanirena was a ruler of the Kush Empire. She led Kushite men against the Romans in a war that lasted half a decade. She was a brave woman and was also blind in one of her eyes.
#10 Ahebi Ugbabe
Ahebi Ugbabe was the only female king in colonial Nigeria. She was a slave, a prostitute, a headman, and a chief. Ahebi was a powerful ruler of her people. Before this ruler died, she did her burial rituals. She died later in 1948.
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