Women Leaders in Africa

Queen Nzinga

1623-63 Queen Nzinga M'Bandi of N'Dongo and Matamba (Angola and Congo)
1623-26 Governor of Luanda for the Portuguese

Also Known as Pande Doña Ana I. Souza or Jinga, she assigned women important government offices. Constantly driven east by the Portuguese, Nzinga organized a powerful guerrilla army, conquered the Matamba, and developed alliances to control the slave routes. She even allied with the Dutch, who helped her stop the Portuguese advancement. After a series of decisive setbacks, Nzinga negotiated a peace treaty with the Portuguese, but still refused to pay tribute to the Portuguese king. Two of her war leaders were reputedly her sisters, her council of advisors contained many women, among others her sisters, Princess Grace Kifunji and Mukumbu, the later Queen Barbara, and women were called to serve in her army. She was daughter of N'Gola Kiluanzi Kia Samba and succeeded her brother. Lived (1581-1663).

	1623-47 Member of the Council of Government Princess Grace of Matamba and Ndongo (Angola and Congo)
	Before her christening she was named Kifunji, and together with her sister Mukambu, she was closest aide and members of the government of their sister, Queen Nzinga. Also an important religious leader. In October 1647 she was drowned by the enemy as they retreated. She lived (1587-1647)

	*Ca. 1630-ca. 60 Queen* Nana Yita of Nsuta (Ghana)**
	Succeeded Queen Nana Ikuro and succeeded by son Nana Dansu Abeo. In 1701 it was one of the founding states of the Asante Confederation.

	Ca. 1630 Queen Nana Aberewa Ampen of Juaben (Ghana)
	Succeeded by son, Nana Ampomben Afera.

1652-1697 Sultan Fatimah of North Zanzibar (Tanzania)

Succeeded Sultan Bakiri, her brother, who had been sultan of the whole island. In 1652 Sultan ibn Seif of Oman drove her off the island, but for the next forty years, the Portuguese continued to maintain the upper hand and she was soon able to return to Zanzibar. In 1697 the Arabs captured Zanzibar and took her prisoner, deporting to her Muscat. After 10 years she was allowed to return, but her island remained under Arab control.

1661-67 Ret Abudok nya Bwoc of Shilluk (Sudan)

The Shilluks have a divine king who symbolizes the whole realm, and they created life sized representations of their first king, Nyikang. They also made clay pipe bowls, hyena figurines, and masks. The Shilluk are agriculturalists and herdsmen. They raise cattle, sheep, and goats. The men hunt, herd the animals, and milk the livestock. Both sexes take part in the agricultural work. Historically they were unified under one King or Reth chosen from the sons of previous kings. Abudok was the only female ruler of the people.

1663-66 Queen Regnant Barbara of N'dongo and Matamba (Congo and Angola)

When her sister, Queen Nijinga, became Queen in 1623, she was appinted as Member of the Council of Government. Before her christening, she had been named Mukumbu (Mukambu, Makumba). Her sister had tried to marry her off to her close ally, João Guterres, but the Portugese protested since he was already married. Her reign was marked by civil war and she was killed by forces loyal to the general Njinga Mona. João succeeded 1669-70 but was also killed. She lived (1584-1663).

1681-1721 Queen Verónica I Guterres Kangala Kingwanda of N'Dongo and Matamba (Angola and Congo)

Also known as Cangala Quinguanda, she was daughter of King João Guterres Ngola Kanini I. Her brother was killed during a battle that Matamba won against the Portuguese. Nevertheless she decided to treat for peace, signing the agreement with Portugal in 1683. But in 1689 she attacked the Portuguese in Cahenda in the Dembos Region, which was disputed between Ndongo, Kongo, and Portugal. Around 1701, Luca da Caltanisetta, the prefect of the Capuchin mission in Angola wrote to her asking to re-establish the mission which had fallen vacant, but she answered by expressing her concern that "it pained her to see her children die without baptism" but that she was "disgusted with the whites, and she would "not see any of them in her court with the missionaries." She sought once again to expand the kingdom into Portuguese domains in 1706, and it was probably for this reason that she had ambassadors in the court of Kongo's King Pedro IV that year. But her attempts to do this were thwarted, as Portuguese forces were too strong and she abandoned the attempt. Nevertheless, a state of constant low level conflcit between her army and the Portuguese at Ambaca and Cahenda led to the virtual depopulation of the country to the west of Matamba, as the people either fled or were captured and deported to the Americas. Those captured by the Portuguese tended to be sent to Brazil, those captured by her were often sold to Vili merchants, based in the Kingdom of Loango to the north, and subsequently sold to English, Dutch, or French merchants who frequented that coast. She was succeeded by her son, Afonso I Álvares de Pontes. She (d. 1721).

1684-1706 Religious Leader and Prophet Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita in Congo

Portuguese forces had defeated the Kongo, the Christianity of Afonso I had fallen into syncretism, a mix of Christian and African traditional religions, and three ruling families contended for power. Into this political and cultural vacuum a number of messianic prophets arose to proclaim their socioreligious visions. The most important of these was Kimpa Vita, a young girl who believed herself possessed by the spirit of St. Anthony of Padua, a popular Catholic saint and miracle worker. She began preaching in the Kongolese city of San Salvador, which she said God wished restored as the capital. Her call to unity drew strong support among the peasants, who flocked to the city, which Kimpa identified as the biblical Bethlehem. She told her followers that Jesus, Mary and other Christian saints were really Kongolese. Kimpa conspired with the general of Pedro IV, one of the contenders for the throne, but she was captured. Both Kimpa and her baby - conceived by her "guardian angel" - were burned at the stake for heresy, at the instigation of Capuchin missionaries. The Antonian movement, which Kimpa began, outlasted her. The Kongo king Pedro IV used it to unify and renew his kingdom. She was burned at the stake in 1706.

1692-? The Iyoba of Uselu in Benin (Nigeria)

She was mother of Oreoghenen, who ruled 1689-1700. As Queen Mother she was a senior town chief. She lived in her own palace outside the capital. She did not appear in public and did not have an official role in the political system, but she was always "consulted" by important political decisions, and her vote was necessary in the political decision process. As widow of the former king and mother of the present, she was given semi-male status. She had a "wife" with the title of Amoda, she was surrounded by Amada, naked boys and has a whole court of officeholders.

1700-ca. 1750 1^st Asantehemaa Nana Nyarko Kusi Amoa of Asante (Ghana)

There are different interpretation of the role of the Queen Mother of the Asante, but it seems that she held the important office of "ohemaa" - the second highest political position in the state. Theoretically an Ashanti Queen Mother was next to the king in the sense that she automatically took upon the king's responsibilities should a condition arise which made it later for the latter to administer. She was a full member and co-President of the governing body and she took part in all important decisions. She was de facto royal co-ordinator and possessed traditional legitimacy in determining the right successor to the stool of the Ashanti King. She exercised a general supervisory authority over women but did not in fact represent the overall interest of the women. Nyaaako was mother of king Opoku Ware I (1720-50) and the 4^thAsantahemaa Konadu Yaadom I, who was in office (Ca.1778-1809).

	*Ca. 1700-40 Queen* Alemba of Sambi (Angola)**
	She reigned jointly with Ului Nonudu. Sambi or Sambu was one of the large cluster of Ovimbundu States, which was founded at various times from around 1600.

	*1700s Chieftainess* Kaipkire of the Herero Tribe (Namibia)**
	She led her people in battles against British slave traders. There are records of Herero women fighting German soldiers as late as 1919.

	*17../18.. The Omukama* of The Bashambo Dynasty in Mpororo (Uganda)**
	She was Queen Mother Regnant of the kingdom of Mpororo, which was founded circa 1650. It covered much of the Kigezi region of Uganda and what is now northern Rwanda.

	*1703-? The Iyoba* of Uselu in Benin (Nigeria)**
	She was mother of king Ewuakpe of Benin (1700-12). His successor Ozuere only reigned for one year and did not appoint his mother Iyoba of Uselu since this traditionally happened after three years of reign by the king.

	*1704-08 Reigning Princess* Tassi Hangbe of Abomey (Benin)**
	She does not appear in the official king's lists but it is generally agreed that she ruled after her brother Akaba (1685-1704) and was followed on the throne by another brother, Agaja, and became one of Abomey (or Dahomey)'s most important rulers, who reigned until 1740.

	*Ca. 1710-ca. 60 Queen Regnant* Asea Poku of Baule (Ashante-Brong) (Cote d'Ivoire)**
	The Baule belong to the Akan peoples who inhabit Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. During the Asante rise to power the Baule Queen, Aura Poku, was in direct competition with the Asante king. When the Asante prevailed, the Queen led her people away to the land they now occupy. The male descendant of Aura Poku still lives in the palace she established. Succeeded by niece.

	1724 Politically Active Empress Uelete Rufael of Ethiopia
	Also known as Woizero Walatta Rufael, she engaged in a succession-struggle in favour of her son Susnyjos, whose father was Dejazmatch Wolde Giyorgis, Governor of Semien (d. 1706). She was daughter of Emperor Iyasu the Great and sister of Emperor Adbar Sagad II Bakaffa (1721-30).

1730-56 Regent Dowager Empress Berhan Mugasa Mentewab of Ethiopia

After the death of her husband the Emperor Bakaffa, Empress Mentewab scrambled to ensure the succession of her underage son Eyasu II, and had herself crowned as co-ruler to help him govern. The Empress played a leading role during his reign, and following his murder, in the reign of his son Eyoas I as well. After the murder of her grandson Eyoas I, her influence decreased considerably, but she remained a deeply respected figure. Although she had been involved in raging disagreements with her grandson during his life, the murder of Emperor Eyoas I on the orders of her son-in-law, Ras Michael Sehul, horrified her, and was to cause her life-long sorrow, she refused to return to the capital. The Empress would live to see two more Emperors on the throne, and officials continued to pay respectful visits to her although she retired from political activity. Her second husband was Gerazmatch Iyasu, with whom she had three daughters before he was killed on the orders of her son, she lived (ca. 1710-73).

1738-? The Iyoba Ede of Uselu in Benin (Nigeria)

Mother of King Eresonyen of Benin (1735-50), who successfully fought the rebellious chiefs and restored power and legitimacy to the Benin Monarchy. As Queen Mother she was a senior town chief. She lived in her own palace outside the capital. She did not appear in public and did not have an official role in the political system, but she was always "consulted" by important political decisions, and her vote was necessary in the political decision process.

1740-97 Kpojito Hwanjile of Abomey (Benin)

Also known as Naye Wandjele, she was the reign mate of King Tegbesu, whom she helped gain power after Agaja's death after a civil war with the designated heir. She - and possibly a successor trough positional succession - was actively involved in Abomey politics for at least 60 years. She was highly skilled in the supernatural, and she is believed to have been responsible for drastically changing the religious life of the kingdom. she enhanced the position of the king, by controlling the people via vodun and establishing a couple of creator gods - and they thereby set up a joint monarchy which controlled both the spirits and the earthly sphere. In 1797 she was involved in the murder of king Agonglo, and she was buried alive.

	*1746 Sultan* Mwana Mimi Hadiga of Patta-Pate and Witu (Kenya**)
	There were 4 sultans that year. Pate is an island of the coast of Kenya.

	Around 1750 Queen Kapango of Mbunza (Namibia)
	She was the sister of the Uukwangali Queen Mate I. She ruled around 1750 and settled in the Mbunza area of the Kavango. This resulted in the establishment of the two kingdoms in the western Kavango, the Uukwangali Kingdom and the Mbunza Kingdom.

Around 1750 Hompa Mate I of Uukwangali (Namibia)

In the Kavango, the earliest recorded Uukwangali Queen was Mate I. She ruled around 1750. She left the Mashi area and settled in present-day Kavango, west of Nkurenkuru in today's Angola. Her sister, Kapango, settled in the Mbunza area of the Kavango. This resulted in the establishment of the two kingdoms in the western Kavango, the Uukwangali Kingdom and the Mbunza Kingdom. The possible successor of Hompa Mate I was Queen Nankali (between 1750 and 1775).

	*1750-75 Hompa* Nankali of Uukwangali (Namibia)**
	The possible successor of Mate I was Nakali.

	*Before 1750 Queen* Masamba Omubitokati of Bunyoro-Kitara (Uganda)**
	Olimi III was king (1710-30) and Duhaga I Cwa reigned (1731-82).

	*Until 1750 Chieftainess* Hoho of The Khoikhoi (South Africa)**
	1713 a smallpox epidemic had decimated the Khoikhoi (previsously known as Hottentot) and in 1750 she was defeated by the Xhosa, and the tribe was assimilated into the Xhosa, and the only trace of them today is the klick-sound in the Xhosa language.

	*Ca. 1750-60 Queen* Awura Danse Poukou of Baule (The Ivory Coast)**
	She succeeded Asak Poku, who reigned from the beginning of the century, and was succeeded by a niece, whose name is not known.

1750-... 2^nd Asantehemaa Nana Nkatia Ntem Abamoo of Asante (Ghana)

As Asantehemaa, or Queen mother, during the reign of king Kusi Obodom (1750-64), she was a full member and co-President of the governing body and she took part in all important decisions. She was de facto royal co-ordinator and possessed traditional legitimacy in determining the right successor to the stool of the Ashanti King. She exercised a general supervisory authority over women but did not in fact represent the overall interest of the women. Nana Nkatia was succeeded by Kaua Afriye at a not known time.

Ca. 1752-? Iyoba Ohagha II of Uselu in Benin (Nigeria)

Mother of Akengbua of Benin (1750-1804). As Queen Mother she was a senior town chief. She lived in her own palace outside the capital. She did not appear in public and did not have an official role in the political system, but she was always "consulted" by important political decisions, and her vote was necessary in the political decision process. As widow of the former king and mother of the present, she was given semi-male status. She had a "wife" with the title of Amoda, she was surrounded by Amada, naked boys and has a whole court of officeholders.

	*From 1760 Queen* of Baule (Ashanti-Brong) (Cote d'Ivoire)**
	She succeeded her aunt, Awura Danse Poukou. Since then the kingdom have been ruled by kings, who inherit their position along matrilineal lines. There are various subchiefs in charge of the kings' local populations, and all the chiefs rely on political advisors who help in the decision making process.

	*Until 1768 The Queen Regnant* of Kongo (N'Dongo and Matamba or Ngola and Mbundu) (Angola and Congo)**
	She was killed in 1768 and followed on the throne by another woman, whose name is also unknown.

	*1768... The Queen Regnant* of Kongo (N'Dongo and Matamba or Ngola and Mbundu) (Angola and Congo)**
	Her predecessor was killed.

	*1770-93 Denkyirahene* Amoako Atta Yiadom of Denkyira (Ghana)**
	Reigned after Amoako Atta Kuma (1725-70). The state was founded in 1500 under the name of Agona, but was renamed in 1620. In 1701 it was defeated by the Asante and became a tributary kingdom.

	*1774-89 Kpojito* Chai of Abomey (Benin)**
	Reign mate of King Kpengla, she is not known to have been a priestess, but the aim of her office was to serve as compliment to the king and in some aspects as his double, not the least in the spiritual world.

	*Around 1775-85 Queen* Nankali of Uukwangali (Angola - Namibia)**
	During her reign friction developed with the neighboring communities and the Kwangali moved from Makuzu to Sihangu (near Mukukuta). Succeeded by Queen Simbara, during whose reign the Kwangali group moved down to Namibia.

1777-78 Regent The Asantehemaa Nana Akua Afriyie of Asante (Ghana)

It is not exactly known when she took office as Asantehemaa as successor of Nana Nketia Ntem Abamoo. She was mother of King Osei Kwadwo (Around 1764-77) and of three daughters. The oldest, Akyamaa was the mother of king Osei Kwame (Around 1777-98) and the 6^th Asantehemaa. The second daughter, Sewaa Okuwa was mother of the 5^th Asantehemaa. Akua Afriye was succeeded by the third daughter, Konadu Yaadom I as the 4^th Asantehemaa.

	*Ca.1778-1809 4^th Asantehemaa* Nana Kwaadu Yiadom I of Asante (Ghana)**
	Succeeded mother, Akua Afriye as Queen Mother and was mother of four kings;Osei Kwame, Opoku Fofie, (1798-1801), Osei Bonsu (1801-24) and Osei Yaw Akoto (1824-33) and of two Asantehemaas, Nana Ama Serwaa and Yaa Dufie. She lived (1752-1809) .

1782 Chief Ntsusa of the amaRharhabe (South Africa)

She was daughter of the Xhosa Chief Rharhabe, who was killed in battle against the Thembu tribe together with his son. Ntsusa's nephews were both underage, and she was appointed chief by the Xhosa king, while the court quarreled over who should be chief. A clan with many chiefs had developed under her tutelage, but was accused of theft of some Boer military horses, and therefore a commando group was sent out against the clan, which had been named Ntsusa after her. She (d. 1826).

	*1789-97 Kpojito* Senume of Abomey (Benin)**
	Reign mate of King Agonglo. During his reign a new the cult of the Christian God was placed alongside the old gods, and a female relative of one of his wifes, Sophie (Afro-Dutch woman) was placed in charge of this new vodun -or faith.

	*Around 1790 Queen* Logenge of Bimba (Cameroon)**
	Her husband, King Kwa of Duala, was co-regent of the Kingdom Bimba until 1792.

	*1797-1818 Kpojito* Kentobasin of Abomey (Benin)**
	Reign mate of King Adandozan. The Kpojito were not Queen Mothers, but they were elected/appointed by the kings after they ascended to the throne, and were seen as complimentary powers to that of the king.

1800-54 Rain Queen Modjadji I of Balobedu (South Africa)

Chief Mugodo was warned by the ancestral spirits of a plot by his sons to overthrow him. To fulfill the desires of the spirits he had all his sons killed and told his daughter that according to the wishes of the sprits he must marry her on his death. By doing this he ensured that the new heir to his throne would be a Queen and thus a new dynasty of woman was founded. When the new Queen gave birth to a son that was fathered by her own father, he was strangled at birth. Her second child was a girl, and she signaled the start of the female dynasty. This was the first Modjadji and ever since the Queen lives in complete seclusion deep in the forest where she practice the age-old secretive rituals to make rain. She committed ritual suicide in 1855.

	*1800/35-60s Chief* Games of Awa-Khoi - "The Red Nation" (Namibia)**
	Succeeded brother, Nanieb II, and was succeeded by nephew as chief of the Nanas or Hottentots in Hoachanas - Nanaqualand.

	*1800-18 Queen* Mate II of Uukwangali (Namibia)**
	`She succeeded Queen Simbara and was succeeded by king Siremo.`

	*Around 1800 The Omukama* of Nshenyi (Uganda)**
	Her predecessor, Rukaari, reigned from 1752, and she was succeeded by Kabandwa at a not known time.

	*Around 1800 Queen* Ebelejonu of Igala (Nigeria)**
	The Igala of old were part of an ethnic community known as Igala-Mela based in Nigeria. This clan primarily consisted of the Hausa, Igbo, Nupe and Igbira peoples. The Igala were mainly ruled by their ata or king traditionally named Ayeba.

	*18... Queen Mother* MmaMane of baTlôkwa (South Africa)**
	In the early 1800s she fought to preserve her tribal lands during the wars between Shaka Zulu and Matiwane. She was succeeded by Kgôsi Mokotjo, who reigned until 1817.

	*18.. Sheha* Fatima bint Ali of Tumbatu (Tanzania)**
	Sheha is a version of Sheik. She succeeded her father.

	*18… Chief* Mashina of Mamba (Tanzania)**
	Widow of chief Mafaluke and succeeded chief Malamba.

	*18.. Chief* Malamba of Mamba (Tanzania)**
	Succeeded Chief Mashina .

	*18.. Chief* Mamka of Kibosho (Tanzania)**
	The chiefdom is situated near Kilimanjaro.

	*18… Queen (Askaya)* Adama Yahimonzon of Kokoro (Niger)**
	Succeeded by Queen Kodyo.

	*18… Queen (Askaya)* Kodyo Yahimonzon of Kokoro (Niger)**
	Succeeded Queen Adama. Her successor ruled until 1899.

	*18… Queen* Tembo of Cokwe (Angola)**
	The principality is situated in the North Eastern part of Angola on the boarder to Congo.

	*18.. Leader Princess* Mukaya of the Luba People (Congo-Brazzaville)**
	She led her warriors in battle against enemy tribes and rival factions towards the end of the 19th century. Initially she fought alongside her brother Kasongo Kalambo, after he was killed in battle she assumed sole control of the empire stretched along the rain forest from Zaire to northern Zambia.

1807-? The Iyoba of Uselu in Benin (Nigeria)

Mother of Obanosa of Benin (1804-16), his successor Ogbebo reigned for less than a year. As Queen Mother she was a senior town chief. She lived in her own palace outside the capital. She did not appear in public and did not have an official role in the political system, but she was always "consulted" by important political decisions, and her vote was necessary in the political decision process. As widow of the former king and mother of the present, she was given semi-male status. She had a "wife" with the title of Amoda, she was surrounded by Amada, naked boys and has a whole court of officeholders.

	*1809-ca. 19 5^th Asantehemaa* Nana Adoma Akosua of Asante (Ghana)** 1814 Regent
	As Asantehemaa, or Queen mother, during the reign of Osei Tutu Kwame Asiba (1804-24), she was left in charge of the government while the king went to the coast to visit his troops on the battlefield there. In the period, Adoma Akosua received a Dutch embassy with which she discussed trade. Succeeded on the post by cousin, Ama Sewaa, and lived (1765-1819).

	*1815-16 The Ndlovukati* Lakubheka Mndzebele of Swaziland**
	The Queen Mother was the widow of Ndvungunye (1780-1815) and after his death she adopted Sobhuza I and named him king. She then became Joint Head of State.

	1815-27 Queen Mother Ndlorukazi Nandi of the Zulu Kingdom (South Africa)
	Mother of Shaka Zulu. At some point they were forced into exile, but she managed to maintain her son's position.

	*Ca. 1816-? Iyoba* Omozogie of Uselu in Benin (Nigeria)**
	Mother of Osemwede of Benin (1815-48). She is said to have been very wealthy and to have assisted her son's conquests of outlying areas.

	*1817-24 Queen Mother* Monyale a Mothaba of baTlôkwa (South Africa)**
	She was later called MmaNtatise Sia Mosayane and was succeeded by king Sekonyela a Mokotjo.

1817-26 The 24th Okyehene and the Ohemaa Nana Afia Dokuaa of Okyeman (Akyem Abuakwa) (Ghana)

The first and only woman to hold the office of ruler as well as that of Ohemaa (Queenmother) in the history of Akyem Abuakwa, and ascended the Ofori stool in 1817 in lieu of a male heir to her uncle, Kofi Asante (1811-1816). She maintained the tradition of resistance to Asante overlordship and joined an anti-Asante alliance of coastal chiefs and the British Administration on the coast. She personally fought at the head of the Akyem Abuakwa contingent at the battle of Katamanso in 1826. It was the allied victory at Datamanso and the ensuing Treaty of 1831 that liberated Akyem Abuakwa and the Southern states from Asante claims to suzerainty over them. Nana Dokua was also a first class administrator. She set up towns and villages into the present divisions for the purposes of war and administration, as well as preventing break-ups or revolts in her kingdom. She married Barima Twum Ampofo of the Oyoko clan of Barekeseso in Ashanti, whom she made the Asiakwahene. She had two male twins, who successively became kings after her death.

	*1818-58 Kpojito* Agontime of Abomey (Benin)**
	Reign mate of King Gezo (1818-58). She had been involved in the coup d'etat against king Agonglo in 1797 and was sold as a slave overseas. according to tradition that she established a number of Abomeyan deities in the new world. Tradition also relates that Gezo sent a delegation to Brazil to locate her and bring her back home.

	*1818-92 Chief Political Advisor* Mariam of Kano (Nigeria)**
	She was the most trusted advisor of her husband, Emir Ibrahim (1818-46) and his successor Muhammad Bello (1883-92). According to Kano tradition her title was "Emir's wife" and her full name was Mariam bint Shehu Usman'dan Fodio.

Ca. 1819-24/33 6^th Asantehemaa Nana Ama Sewaa of Asante (Ghana)

As Asantehemaa, or Queen mother, during the reigns of Osei Tutu Kwame Asiba (1804-24) and perhaps also trough that of Osei Yaw Akoto ( 1824-34), she acted as counsel, political acumen, historical perspective, and detailed knowledge of royal genealogy. She also helped to maintain the delicate balance of power between the elite and the powerful chiefs of the federated states. She was mother of King Nana Kwaku Dua I and Asanthemaa Nana Afia Sarpong, and lived (1763-1824/33).

	*1824/33-1835 7^th Asantehemaa* Yaa Dufie of Asante (Ghana)**
	She was Queen mother, during the reigns of Osei Yaw Akoto (1824-34), and Kwaku Dua I Panyin (ca. 1797-1834-67). She was succeeded on the post by her cousin, Nana Afia Sarpong, and lived (1770-1835).

	*1826-40 Queen* Fatima Brima Kama Alikali of Konya-Teme (Sierra Leone)**
	She succeeded Alikali Kunia Banna (Jack Coby) and was succeeded by Moribu Kindo, who ruled as Alikali (King or Monarch) until 1853.

	*1828-43-? Chief* Mali I of Khaha (South Africa)**
	After she became chief, she modeled the state after the President set by the rain-Queen of Lovedu, who remained unwed. Mali was succeeded by son.

1828-1861 Queen Ranavalona I Rabodoandrianampoinimerina (Ramavo) of Madagascar

Also known as Ranavalo-Manjka I or Ranavalona I. She was married when she was almost a child to Radama, king of the "Hovas" and was accused of poisoning her husband in agreement with the protestant English missionaries. Radama left no descendants so English missionaries made their way to help her to gain the throne. After she became Queen, Ranavalona soon had most of her family relatives assassinated, she expelled foreigners and extended her rule all over the Island, with her 20.000 men Army. She died hated home and outside. She had her lover Rainitaiarivoy (1828-96) named Prime Minister. She was mother of King Radama II, and lived (1782/92-1861).

	1828-29 Regent Princess Oantitsy of Boina (Madagascar) 1838-36 Queen Regnant
	Andriantsoly was king (1822-32) until he was deposed and permently replaced by her. She was succeded by Queen Tsiomeko.

	*Around 1828 Chief Sheha* Mwana wa Mwana of Tumbai (North Zanzibar)**
	Also known as Khadija bint Nwale, she succeeded father as Sheik of the state in North Zanzibar. Married to Hassan II of Zanzibarwho reigned before 1828 until 1845. Her successor reigned until 1856.

	*1831-40 Regent Princess* Menem Leben Amande of Yejje (Ethiopia)**
	For son Ras Ali Aula. In 1840 she married Yohannes II and became Empress of Ethiopia. She must have become very powerful, because in 1842 he launched a rebellion against her. Menem was beaten by Melenik II in 1847.

	*1831 Head of Diplomatic Missions* Akyaawaa Oyiakwan for Asante (Ghana)**
	She was a daughter of the Asantehene Osei Kwadwo (1764-77), and headed two different diplomatic missions that successfully negotiated the Maclean Treaty in April 1831 with the British and with the Danes at Christiansborg Castle in August of the same year. (b. ca. 1774).

Around 1834 Regent Queen Mother Bobjwale of BaNgwato
Until 1842 Ruler of the Chobe-Hwange Area (Botswana)

Second wife of Kgosi Kgari who was killed in a battle against the BaKalanga-BaNyayi at Matopos, she was appointed regent in the political vacuum following the death of her son, Khama II. Kgosi Kgari's other son, Sekgoma I broke away with a strong following, refusing to recognize her reign. Her forces was defeated in the following civil war. Most of the tribe then defected to Sekgoma I, forcing her to flee with her children and a small following to the BaKwena state where Sechele welcomed them. Subsequently, Sechele married her daughter, Mokgokong. Other sources indicate that later, Bobjwale with her supports moved to the Chobe-Hwange region where it is said that she ruled the scattered pockets of subordinate groups under BaNgwato rule until 1842.

	*1834.... Regent* Dowager Sultana Guisti Fatima of Harrar (Ethiopia)**
	After the death of her husband, Amir 'Abu Bakar II ibn 'Abdu'l Munan, who had succeeded her father r 'Abdu'l Karim as Amir of Harrar in 1829, she was regent for her son, Amir Ahmad III ibn 'Abu Bakar (1834-52).

	*1835 Regent Queen Mother* Muranthatisi of the Sotho (Lesotho)**
	For son. She lived (Ca. 1781-1835).

	*1835-1859 8^th Asantehemaa* Nana Afia Sapong of Asante (Ghana)**
	The daughter of king Osei Kwame (Around 1777-98), she was the second Queen Mother during the reign of Kwaku Dua I Panyin (ca. 1797-1834-67), and was succeeded as Asantehemaa by her only child, Aufa Kobi Serwaa Ampen I, who was in office (1859-1884). Afia Sapon lived (1790-1859).

	*1836-40 Reigning The Ndlovukati* Lojiba Simelane of Swaziland**
	The Queen Mother was widow of Sobhuza I (1816-36) and in 1840 she named Mswati II as king and became Joint Head of State.

	1836-40 Queen Regant Tsiomeko of Boina (Madagascar)
	In 1839 she sought refuge in Nosy, which was part the Sakalava kingdom of Boina, during the time of the domination of the Merina (Madagascar). Tsiomeko then requested protection from France and the following year, the Admiral de Hell and the Sakalava Kings signed a protectorate. The Kingdom was incorporated into Madagascar in 1840. She (d. 1843)

	*1838-48 The Dwabenhene* Ama Sewa of Dwaben (Dwabehene or Dwabeii) (Ghana)** 1843-48 Reigning Dwabenhemaa and Dwabenhene
	She took over as chief and led her people back to Asante from exile in Akyem Abuakwa in the south east of the Gold Coast after the death of her two sons in succession. Indeed, her daughter, Nana Afrakoma Panin and her granddaughter Nana Akua Saponmaa both held the dual offices of Dwabenhemaa and Dwabenhene (Queen Mother and King) concurrently.

	*Before 1840 Ras* Zmama Worq of Shawa, Menz etc. (Ethiopia)**
	Her son Ras Shale Selassie married Ras Bezebesh of Marra Biet in 1840.

1840-47 Politically Influential Empress Menen of Ethiopia
1840-47 Ruler of The Provinces North and West of the Tana Lake (Ethiopia)

Also known as Manam Liben-Amdie, she helped bring her husband, Emperor Yohannes III, on the throne. He ruled 1840-41, 1845 and 1850-51 and was deposed by rival fractions. In 1845 Lij Kassa Hailu rebelled against her and her son Ras Ali II, who held the office of Viceroy, he invaded and pillaged Dembiya in October 1846, conquered Gondar in January 1847, defeated and captured her in June 1847 but released her again in August. She was the widow of Ras Alula Gugsa, Governor of Gojjam, and daughter of Imam Liban Amade Kolase, chief of the Wollo of Warra Himenu, and lived (ca. 1800-50s).

	Ca. 1840-51 Governor MaMotshiame of the Central Province of the Bulozi Kingdom (Zambia) 1851-58 Makololo Morêna of Bulozi (or Barotseland)
	Her father, king Sebutuabe, appointed her as governor of a central province. On his deathbed, he appointed her as his successor. She later abdicated in favour of brother, Sekeletu. She died (1888).

Ca. 1842-48 Exile-Leader Mawa of Zulu Political Refugees (South Africa)

During the reigns of her two nephews Shaka (ca. 1815-28) and Dingane (1828-40) she served as liaison in a British military town. In 1840 another nephew ousted Dingane and, in ca. 1842, had his brother assassinated. Mawa fled with several thousand followers to Natal, where she gathered additional supporters and eventually negotiated a treaty with the new British administration to settle permanently in Natal. She (d. 1848).

	*1844-93 Chief* Mugalula I of Kiwele (Tanzania)**
	Succeeded her father, Nyungu-ya-Mawe, who had originally designated his sister’s son, Nzwala, as his successor, but he predeceased him. She committed suicide and was succeeded by Nzwala’s daughter Msavila. According to some sources she was Sultan Mugalula of Nyamwezi in 1893 – but Nyamwezi was the name of the ruling dynasty in Kiwele.

	*From 1848 Reigning Dwabenhemaa and Dwabenhene* Nana Afrakoma Panin of Dwaben (Dwabehene or Dwabeii) (Ghana)**
	Succeeded mother, Ama Sewa, and was succeeded by daughter, Nana Akua Saponmaa, as holder of the dual offices of Dwabenhemaa and Dwabenhene (Queen Mother and King).

	*After 1848 Reigning Dwabenhemaa and Dwabenhene* Nana Akua Saponmaa of Dwaben (Dwabehene or Dwabeii) (Ghana)**
	Succeeded mother, Nana Afrakoma Panin, at a not known time.

1851 Army Leader Seh-Dong-Hong-Beh in Abomey (Benin)

She was leader of the ”Amazons” under King Gezo, and 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, but was later defeated, and the Amazons burned fields, villages and cities rather than let them fall to the French.

Bronze Mask of a Queen Mother of Benin

1851-? The Iyoba of Uselu in Benin (Nigeria)

Mother of Adolo of Benin (1848-88). As Queen Mother she was a senior town chief. She lived in her own palace outside the capital. She did not appear in public and did not have an official role in the political system, but she was always "consulted" by important political decisions, and her vote was necessary in the political decision process. As widow of the former king and mother of the present, she was given semi-male status. She had a "wife" with the title of Amoda, she was surrounded by Amada, naked boys and has a whole court of officeholders.

	*Until 1853 Sultan* Mwana Mwema of Zanzibar (Tanzania)**
	Followed on the throne by Sultan Yusuf.

	*1854-55 Regent Queen Mother* Muganzirwazza of Buganda (Uganda)**
	She was regent for son, Mukaabya Mutesa I (1837-56-84), and a powerful political force after he came of age. She lived (1817-82).

1855-94 Rain Queen Modjadji II of Balobedu (South Africa)

She succeeded her mother Modjadji I. Like her mother she never married the father of her children, though she had a number of wifes, who were given to her as tribute, and who were then handed out to chiefs of the tribe. The Queen was practically inaccessible to her people, appearing only very seldom in public, and had the mystical power to transform clouds into rain. She committed ritual suicide in 1894 after having designated the daughter of her "sister" and great wife, Leakkali as her heir.

	Ca. 1855-ca. 1910 Queen Natélégé of the Mzalara (Central African Republic)
	The first woman of her people to be acclaimed Chief in her own right.

Before 1855-after 1868 Duchess Uerkit of the Oromo Tribe (Ethiopia)

Her tribe lives in the Province of Uello.

1858-89 Kpojito Zoïndi of Abomey (Benin)

Reign mate of her son, King Gélé, who had won a succession-struggle prince Wensu who had been supported by one of the highest-ranking women in court, the Tononu Yavedo. As mother of the heir she had lived in seclusion and was therefore out of touch with the situation at court, and therefore her political influence was small, and actually her brother became Gélé's closest advisor.

1859-84 Asantehemaa Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampen I of Asante (Ghana)

As Asantehemaa, or Queen mother, during the reigns of the kings Kwaku Dua I Panyin (1834-67), Kofi Kakari (1867-84), Mensa Bonsu Kumaa (1874-83) and Kwaku Dua II Kumaa (1884), she was a full member and co-President of the governing body and she took part in all important decisions. The de facto royal co-ordinator and possessed traditional legitimacy in determining the right successor to the stool of the Ashanti King. She mother of the kings Nana Kofi Kaakari and Nana Mensa Bonsu, and was succeeded on the post by daughter Yaa Akyeaa. She lived (1765-1819).

1862 17th Queen Nakashwa of Ongandjera (Ouambo) (Namibia)

She was head of one of the country's northern tribes.

1863-68 HM Rasoherina, by the grace of God and the will of the people, Queen of Madagascar

Born as Rabodozanakandriana, and also known as Rasoaherina or Rabuda, she was married to King Radama II (1861-63) and when he died in 1863 she became Queen of Madagascar. She married again to minister Rainitaiarivoy, who took control of politics and was named her Prime Minister. In 1865 Rasoaherina signed a Commercial Treaty with the British that ensured the influence of English. She lived (1829-68).

1868-83 Queen Ranavalona II, by the grace of God and the will of the people, Queen of Madagascar, and Protectrice of the laws of the Nation

Born as Ramoma, she was also known as Ranavalo Manjaka II after she followed Queen Rasoaherina on the throne. She married to Rainitaiarivoy who she named her Prime Minister. After being crowned she allowed Christianity in her States, and got baptized in 1869. She abolished slavery. Under her rule the British were really influential. In 1883 French commodore Pierre was sent to Madagascar because of a commercial matter and took Majunga post and bombarded Tamatave.

1868-75 Reigning Queen Mother The Ndlovukati Thandile Ndwandwe I Nxumalo of Swaziland
After 1875 Joint Head of State

She was widow of King Mswati (1840-68) and until 1875 she reigned in the name of Ludvonga II, who afterwards became king, and she took over as joint head of state.

1868-76 Regent Dowager Queen Warqito Mastawat of Walo (Ethiopia)

She was mother of the young Imam Amede Beshir, one of the two claimants to the leadership of the Weresek (Mammadoch) clan of Wollo. Emperor Tewodros had seized Amede Beshir, had him baptized as his godson, and had fought the mother of the other claimant, the rival Queen Mestawat. Although bitter rivals, both Mestawat and Werqitu were foes of the Emperor. Werqitu was not initially eager to help the Shewan prince even though his father had been a close ally. She initially decided to send emissaries to the Emperor to inform him that the Shewans were in her camp, and that she would exchange them for her son. Tewodros however was extremely furious when he found out about the escape of the Shewans. Her son died during the siege, and her grief and anger knew no bounds. Until the very end, she never stopped attacking Tewodros' army, and never held back aid from anyone who rebelled against him.

1870s Regent Princess Mnkabayi of the Zulu Kingdom (South Africa)