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For many years, our group has drawn energy and empowerment from the understanding that we’ve a lovely historical past outdoors of our collective enslavement and oppression. Black dad and mom and elders ceaselessly encourage youthful generations to attract on the facility of the good African kings and queens that we herald from. This narrative has turn out to be integral to our tradition’s energy in addition to our sense of delight, magnificence and self-determination. However who’re these Black royals that we talk about?
The historical past that has been introduced to our folks has been distinctly whitewashed, typically omitting the documentation and portrayal of the profound impact historical African leaders have had on the Mom Continent in addition to inside its surrounding areas. Due to this, it has turn out to be much more crucial that we, as a folks, inform our personal tales and protect our personal heritage. Under, we spotlight eight African queens who have been fierce and well-known in their very own proper and whose shoulders we proudly stand on right now.
Nefertiti of Historical Egypt
Egypt, 1353–36 BC

Queen Nefertiti, the spouse of King Akhenaton, is without doubt one of the most well-known historical queens. Her magnificence and charm have turn out to be a normal bearer all through historical past. Beneath her and her husband’s helm, they shifted the viewpoints of faith, influencing the follow of monotheism, the assumption in just one God. Though her documented presence has been misplaced, her legacy remains to be revered and admired right now.
Amina of Zaria
Nigeria, 1533-1610

Often called the “Warrior Queen,” Queen Amina is named the primary feminine chief of a male-dominated society. She made historical past for increasing the territory of the North African Hausa folks. Diverging from her father’s peaceable practices, Amina harnessed her arsenal of army abilities with the Zazzau cavalry, later turning into their chief. After being appointed as ruler in 1576, she returned to the battlefield and fought to her loss of life in 1610.
Yaa Asantewaa of the Ashanti Empire
Current day Ghana, c.1840-1921

Queen Yaa Asantewaa was Queen Mom of the Ashanti Kingdom and presided over the Golden Stool, establishing energy, tradition and stability inside the land. As Queen Mom, she held the second-highest place inside the empire. Her management and advocacy of ladies in energy permeated all through the dominion, difficult archaic gender roles.
Kandake Amanirenas of the Kingdom of Kush
Egypt, c. 40 BC – c. 10 BC

Queen Kandake Amanirenas’ legacy was cemented attributable to her skillful protection towards the Roman empire. She was the second of the eight Kandakes, or Queen Moms of the traditional African Kingdom of Kush (which is now South Sudan). Her heroism and management are well-documented in historical hieroglyphics.
Ana Nzinga of Mbande Ndogo
Angola, 1583-1663

A politician, diplomat and army chief, Queen Nzinga was monumental in her land’s (now generally known as Angola) resistance to Portuguese affect, which prevented extreme slave raids. Because of her eloquence as a negotiator, she developed a sturdy roster of allies and efficiently labored towards the liberation of Angola till her loss of life within the seventeenth century.
Nandi of the Zulu Kingdom
Zulu Nation, 1760-1827

Queen Nandi is the mom of the notable warrior and Zulu king Shaka Zulu. She raised her son to be the legendary champion that he turned to be. Though she was shamed for having her son out of wedlock, she turned an advisor to the king and Queen of Zululand. She is lovingly known as an excellent chief as her son. To this present day, she is deeply revered and admired on the Mom Continent.
Makeda of Ethiopia (or the Queen of Sheba)
Ethiopia, c. tenth Century BCE

The Queen of Sheba was first referenced within the Hebrew Bible and later within the Islamic Qur’an. Though not a lot is documented or has been verified about her existence, she was identified for her splendid items and intelligence. Her union with King Solomon within the Hebrew Bible established an especially highly effective rule.