Africa was led and Africa was defended by women. Those who think women belonged in the kitchen, in bedrooms and churches haven’t learned what Africa was.

Africa was led and Africa was defended by women. Those who think women belonged in the kitchen, in bedrooms and churches haven’t learned what Africa was.

During the “Scramble for Africa” of the late nineteenth century, where European colonial powers rushed to conquer, and exploit the African continent, a powerful queen emerged: Sarraounia Mangou, leader of the Azna people, a subgroup of the Hausa in Lougou, Niger🇳🇪.

Determined not to allow her people to fall into such evil hands, Sarraounia rose up to defend her people with an ingenious plan. She subsequently mobilized her people and resources to confront the French forces of the Voulet–Chanoine Mission, which launched a fierce attack on her fortress capital of Lougou. In 1899, the Voulet-Chanoine Mission met the strongest force and lost several men to the fighting. Sarraounia’s skill and bravery gave Voulet and Chanoine the most painful losses of their mission thus far. Although, French historical documents give little information about this fascinating woman, the information that exists is astonishing enough.

Sadly, the story of Sarraounia fell into oblivion and was only brought back to international attention by novelist and political activist Abdoulaye Mamani, who wrote the novel Sarraounia about her. In 1986, it was made into a movie which won first prize in the Pan African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou. Once an obscure female ruler in the annals of Nigerién🇳🇪 history, Sarraounia became a pan-African symbol of both colonial resistance and female leadership.

Africa was led and Africa was defended by women. Those who think women belonged in the kitchen, in bedrooms and churches haven’t learned what Africa was.