Africa's Amazon Queens

I doubt that there is any community in Africa which is exclusively Matriarchal. But I came across one African Kingdom whose success was as a result of it's Female powerhouse army!  I just want to share my new found fascination in the Dahemian Female Army of 1841. Dahomey has been documented as the last African Kingdom to collapse due to European colonization in Africa.  And the Kingdom’s prosperity was attributed to its powerful army some said was invincible. 

And it wasn’t just any army. The Dahomey army initially was 25,000 man strong with 5,000 women! These women were referred to as Amazons, and they were feared more than their male counterparts in the army. They were referred to as Amazons due to their semi mythical similarities to Greek Amazons. These Amazon queens served as royal body guards when not in combat. And they were handpicked by King Behanzin Bowelle himself.

The women were recruited based on their strength and health and sexual purity; they were all virgins. Some of the women enrolled voluntarily. And others were forced into it by their husbands who complained to the king about their wives. 

The training regimen was rigorous. One of the training drills includes charging, three times, barefoot into thorny areas while nude from the waist. And this was coupled up with gymnastics to keep fit. The training emboldened these women to the point that they believed that they were invincible. 

By 1894 there were 4000 amazons in 3 different brigades, ready to give up their lives for their king! These women of Dahomey were what preserved the honour of the Kingdom! fascinating!

I can only imagine what they may have looked like. And what fascinates me is that the Dahomey Kingdom was located in what is modern day Benin. When I think of women who are power houses I think of Nigerian women. This was primarily because of their demeanor and physique. 

I am amazed. Part of me wishes that I was a descendant of these Amazon Dahomey women!

Queen & Warrior

For many years I have heard the name Mekatilili, a common name in Kenyan history. But like most in my generation; It remains just that, a name in Kenyan history. I want to hit myself for not paying attention to this great woman. She was remarkable woman; who played a crucial role in the independence of Kenya from the grip of colonial rule. Similar to what Rosa Parks did almost 50 years later in Southern America.

Mekatilili wa Menza wasn’t just any woman; she was a powerhouse. She was a woman driven by justice. And she understood the need to preserve cultural practices. Mekatilili awoke the communities of Coastal Kenya to ward off the British.

She was a Giriama; one of the nine subgroups of the Mijikenda community based in coastal Kenya. Mekatilili wa Menza lead the Giriama people in ridding themselves of the exploitation and extortion of the British colonial administration.

Mekatilili wa Menza (daughter of Mekatilili) discovered the horror her community was facing as a girl. Being based in the coastal region of Kenya, her community was a base for the acquisition of slaves by Arabs and the British; who sought cheap and strong labour for their expansive farms.

 What attracts my attention the most to Mekatilili’s story is that she worked to restore the Kaya. Kaya were important gathering places for the Mijikenda. These were sacred places where the Mijikenda prayed, conducted religious rituals and rights. It was also a place that was a seating place of governance. The Kayas were located deep in forests and it was considered taboo to cut down trees or vegetation in these areas.

It is from these Kayas that Mekatilili was able to rally the coastal community to reject the imposed taxes and the way of the British. 

She did pay the price for her crusade; she was accused of being a witch. And in October 1913, Mekatilili and her husband Wanje were arrested and sentenced to five years imprisonment; in Kisii prison located in Western Kenya.

But in 5 months Mekatilili and her husband escaped from prison and found their way home.  Only to find her Kaya had been destroyed by explosives. And she found that the British were still collecting taxes. And they were planning to invade the fertile north land of the Sabaki River to set up their farms.

Although Mekatilili and her husband were recaptured, the momentum for the uprising had reached full throttle. In September 1914 the Mijikenda attacked the unsuspecting British who surrendered.

And in 1919; Mekatilili and her husband; Wanje were released from prison to help rebuild the Kaya. The soul of the Mijikenda community! It’s strength like Mekatilili’s that we need today. A strength and understanding of the pride of heritage, culture and the heart of self sacrifice.  

Here are some sites and books to give you  more insight on Mekatilili and the Mijikenda in Kenya. 

http://muingachokwe.com/history/mijikenda/

http://www.enhols.com/kenya_safari/people/mijikenda/

http://www.kenya-information-guide.com/mijikenda-tribe.html

http://www.amazon.com/Mekatilili-Wa-Menza-Woman-Warrior/dp/9966951032

2011 Serious

In April 2009 I began a quest; a quest to restore pride and purpose in the African populace. I tried out dabbing a bit of politics here and there. Explored the misconceptions individuals have of our beautiful continent. And finally began a Patriot’s diary to re-discover what patriotism is all about. And why we should care about whom we are and where we are.

That said and done I took a long break not sure what to write anymore. Africa’s Solutions then re-emerged in 2010 hopeful to focus on the rich history of it’s people. The Kingdoms, the cultures, governance and social order all the things that is endangered or lost today.

But the journey proved difficult, difficult because I begun to lose faith in my own culture, society and government. My heart was stripped of hope. And the energy kicked out of me. But as we awaken Africa’s Solution Now in 2011, we will explore the individuals and the Kingdoms. And the systems that made African society functional; successful.

Forget the fact that we walked around barefoot, topless and all the other negative stereotypes. I believe and am convinced that the practices that we abandoned are the reason why we are messed up now as a continent. And I want to explore and share with you certain cultural practices and remarkable individuals who defined the pride, purpose and potential African societies have.

We need to restore these things as Africans to get back on the right track. I strive to ensure that you will have regular updates on the true and factual history of what Africa is really made of.

Thank you for your continued support and patience.