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.

Shaka Zulu! Huwaa!

One of Africa's greatest warriors who conquered several southern African Kingdoms. I came across this, this morning.And I almost beat my chest and yelled 'Africa' in the office. This is a clip from the SABC produced TV series Shaka Zulu. This will definitely take you waay back! I love the score!

WE'RE BACK!

I haven’t blogged for over two months now. I can chose to come up with a truck load of excuses, but I won’t. The truth is; I just got tired; tired of hoping, of acting like the African cape crusader ready to combat all African enemies. And I guess that is what we all do, when we get carried away in a similar ,Africa hosting the world cup, euphoria.

I also got tired of writing, no inspiration whatsoever. And after the happy go-lucky writing I had before; I didn’t want to dampen or depress your spirits with my entries.

Even as I write this I am not quite sure what to say; should I inspire you all to put on your super hero outfits and fly to Africa’s rescue? Or should I just express how I feel and be honest with you? I chose to be honest.

First I’d like to thank you all, for you continual support even in my silence as you followed Africa’s Solution…Now. I can’t thank you enough! Thank you!

So what’s going to happen now? We’ll pick up from where we left off, but with a different tone! Africa’s Solution Now will now be ASN. It’s simpler to remember and dish out the address to people!

I will be taking you on a journey with me to understand African history. If you had a boring history lecturer or just can’t stand history. Think of it as watching an action packed, Shaka Zulu meets the terminator action movie. Well if you can't imagine, I'll try to write it that way.

I think it’s in better taste to understand who we are and where we come from. To make us better Africans.  And I hope that you will join me on this new journey, one day, one step and one entry at a time!

I salute you all!

Patriot's Diary # 40: Kenya; My Home, My Jewel

I have fumbled around trying to figure out whether to have number 40 as a summary of all the other 39 or look for an all new reason to express my undying love for Kenya. I chose the latter; which I must add is not the final reason for my love for Kenya; but to crown the Patriot’s Diary series.

My 40^th reason is what, in my books, makes Kenya iconic; we are a country strategically placed. Kenya may not be smack in the middle of the African continent but it is in such a central place on the coast of the East African coast and the equator perfect for business and travel.

Kenya has been a haven for all her neighbours in the midst of political turmoil. Our brothers and sisters from Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda and the DR Congo have sought refuge and established their communities and families in Kenya.

Kenya has brokered several peace deals. And is Africa’s UN home, with the headquarters of UN-Habitat based in our capital Nairobi.  Kenya is one of the few countries in the continent with an immense number of diplomatic missions from states across the globe.  And the US (as expected) leads the pack with the largest diplomatic Mission in Sub Saharan Africa based in my beautiful capital; Nairobi. States such as Russia, Britain, and the European Union (EU) as well as member nations of the EU have bases here. Pakistan, Indonesia, Lebanon, Korea, Israel, Thailand, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Chile, Venezuela; the list is endless. I think nearly every state on the face of the earth may have a diplomatic mission in Nairobi.

Kenya is an economic hub for Eastern Africa. You may have heard the phrase; when Kenya sneezes East and central Africa get a cold.  28 of 50 East African companies are in Kenya. With the largest being Safaricom; Kenya’s leading telecommunications company.  

We have a NASA launch station in the town of Malindi. With our Kilindini harbor and Jomo Kenyatta international airports, both under expansion, serving as major entry and exit points for imports and exports for the East and Central African region.

Kenya’s strategic location is amazing. Kenya is a jewel! It isn’t just a blessing to be Kenyan it’s a privilege. And a privilege that I will continue to yell from the roof tops!  Not just for the conventional tourism, but for economic growth and cultural versatility. Kenya is a nation of endless potential that needs to be saved and protected from the demeaning political shenanigans. I can ramble on for ages because there is a lot to gloat over as a Kenyan. But it is my duty as well as yours, whatever country you hail from, to protect and nurture your nation’s destiny not for yourself or your children but your great great great grandchildren as well.

 My National Anthem

With this final entry into the Patriot’s diary I salute all my fellow countrymen. A salute of honour and respect! And a call to stand up and seize the moment NOW to restore the dignity of our beautiful land! Kenya Milele! (Kenya forever!)

Patriot's Diary # 39: There's room for Improvement

All the annoying and upsetting news on Africa is not worth your emotional overload. That’s just simply because it is not true. Kenya like most countries on this continent are a testimony that there is a second chance for everyone.

Media abroad and even at home are pretty harsh to downplay and justify our eternal dependency on everyone else BUT ourselves. I believe otherwise. There is always room for improvement and second chances for Kenya. We’ve begun a new phase in our tumultuous journey as a country, but that’s just it; it is a beginning. We cried at independence, babbled, learned how to say our first word and now we are crawling pretty fast and grabbing at anything and everything as we try to get our footing into this new life as a Nation. In Human years 46 years is a time of stability and the beginning of reaping heftily. In ‘Nation’ years we are barely close to walking. If you don’t believe me; look at your world history. Britain has been in existence as a state for 900 years, the United States 200 years and yet they still have many more milestones to achieve.

What we are going through now as Kenya is nothing outstandingly unique from what you read in your history book. It’s the initial stages of Nationhood. We’ll make our gains faster, as a nation in comparison to the UK and US did, I believe because I have Kenyan brothers and sisters who believe in their country like I do and see a future life that is richer in culture, pride and purpose than ever before.

That’s why being Kenyan is so awesome, ever so often I come across a like minded person who knows that the time to push for change and purpose begins now. But to effectively do so it needs to begin in the heart of each and every Kenyan. Take a look at your flag; look at it as a salute of honour and gratitude to you. Wake up in the morning and your still in Kenya; that’s a sign that you have something worth sharing with your country.

Go to work; you’re the reason Kenya can still be in business with other nations. Take a road trip to Nairobi national Park; you’re privileged to live in the only country in the world that houses a National Park in its capital city. Open your mouth and speak; you’ve shown the world that you can effortlessly speak 3 languages. This is Kenya, this is our pride, and this is our reason to fight for who we are, trust and know. I understand this and I trust that my fellow brothers and sisters will see it to. Kenya is my inheritance. Kenya is my present. And Kenya is my legacy.