Stronger Together: WOMEN OF AFRICA, #2

By N. Gunter

Let's explore some of the fascinating cultures of Africa together. For centuries Africans have had an open and welcoming attitude towards strangers, welcoming foreigners into their land and communities. When Europeans and Asians arrived in pre-colonial Africa, African leaders soon realised that these visitors had strong economic and dominance motives, leading to defensive measures being undertaken. In this book we explore the lives of some  women in pre-colonial Africa who played vital roles in early African politics; some against the colonialists while others against other African nations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: N Gunter
• Release date: Mar 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215727386

Book preview

BOOKS IN THE WOMEN OF AFRICA SERIES:

AFRICAN QUEENS:

20 Stories of Remarkable Ancient African Women

STRONGER TOGETHER:

16 African Women Who Dared to Lead.

COURAGEOUS AND DARING:

13 African women Who Broke the Rules.

HERSTORY:

21 African Women who Dare to Dream.

Extras:

* Illustrations and Summaries of 70 Women of Courage and Conviction

* 35 Powerful Women: Inspiring Life Stories.

Colouring Book 1

* 35 Unstoppable Women: Women Who Made a Difference. Colouring Book 2

DEDICATION

My three strong girls , Nuru, Zari, and Adia: May you always remember that you are stronger together and always stand up for yourselves and for each other. I pray you will learn to lean on each other and support each other. And always stand for the truth, the weak, and the downtrodden. Be kind to yourself and others. Step forward, my warrior queens.

16 WOMEN IN DEFENSIVE AFRICA

Let’s explore some of the fascinating cultures of Africa together. For centuries Africans have had an open and welcoming attitude towards strangers, welcoming foreigners into their land and communities. When Europeans and Asians arrived in pre-colonial Africa, African leaders soon realised that these visitors had strong economic and dominance motives, leading to defensive measures being undertaken.

In the 16th century, Nzinga Mbemba, the King of the Kongo sent a message to the King of Portugal, Alphonso I, expressing concern over the behaviour of Portuguese people in his region. He believed that they did not respect anyone and were even taking people from his own family and community as slaves. He urged the King to forbid this trade, as it went against the values of Christianity. Sadly, this was not an isolated incident. Many women had protested as much, if not more, than King Alphonso. Unfortunately, we don’t often hear of these women and their lives.

As Europeans came to different parts of Africa, they said they were there to make friends and work together. African leaders soon realised that their real goals were to make money and take control. The Europeans were more interested in the slave trade than spreading the gospel. While some African collaborators participated in this exchange of humanbeings others fought to keep this evil away from their people.  Women stood up and fought alongside men of their societies.

African women were seen as individuals with power and prestige, capable of being rulers of their native land with as much influence as their male counterparts The colonialists denied women the respect and power they had had in their traditional cultures. Africa lost much of her culture and confidence as she was forced to embrace European culture, religion, education, and language at the expense of her own.

In this book we explore the lives of some of these women in pre-colonial Africa who played vital roles in early African politics; some against the colonialists while others against other African nations. Women such as Njinga Mbandi, Kimpa Vita Nsimba, Yaa Asantewaa, Ndate Yalla, Mwana Mkisi and many more. These women, among other Africans, tried their best but lost to their conquerors, and a wounded Africa became ruled by multiple colonialist countries.

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ALBA POKOU

The tale of Queen Pokou , who ruled between 1750 and 1760, is the story of the Baoule people of Cote d'Ivoire. Queen Abla Pokou’s life, also known as Awura or Aura, is one of courage and sacrifice. Born into the Ashanti royal family in the early 18th century, Pokou rose to power during a time of great upheaval for the Ashanti Empire. Located in what is now modern-day Ghana, the Ashanti Empire was a powerful and