Have you ever read a fairy tale about a brave princess who becomes a powerful queen? Well, get ready to meet some real-life queens and female leaders from the continent of Africa, and their stories are even more exciting than fiction! For thousands of years, women in Africa haven't just stood beside their male leaders; they’ve led mighty armies, built huge cities, and defended their people against powerful invaders. They were diplomats, warriors, and brilliant strategists.
In this blog post, we're going to travel back in time to meet seven of these incredible African queens. They all showed immense courage and smarts. Their stories are perfect for sharing at home, in the classroom, or for a school project!
Why Learn About African Queens?
Why spend time learning about people who lived so long ago? Because their stories teach us important lessons that are still true today. These women showed the world what can happen when you are brave, determined, and clever.
Leadership: Being a Boss!
Think about what makes a great leader. Is it being strong? Yes. Is it being smart? Absolutely! Many African societies, like the Ashanti of Ghana or the Kingdoms in Angola, understood that women could be just as smart and strong as men. These queens weren’t just figures with pretty crowns; they were military commanders, economic masterminds, and judges who kept the peace. Learning about their leadership skills, like Queen Amina’s brilliant military strategy or Queen Njinga’s diplomatic genius, shows us that anyone can be a powerful leader, no matter their gender or age.
Legacy: What They Left Behind
The word "legacy" means the impact someone has on the world, even after they are gone.
The legacy of these African queens is everywhere! They are part of the reason modern African nations are so diverse and strong. Some of the walls and cities they built still stand today. Most importantly, their stories inspire millions of girls and boys to chase their biggest dreams.
7 Queens Kids Should Know: Profiles in Power
Ready to meet the stars of our story? We’ll start with two legendary warrior queens whose names are famous across the continent!
1. Njinga Mbande (Angola, 1583–1663)
If you ever need a definition of the word 'fierce', just look up Queen Njinga (pronounced N-ZIN-gah). She is one of the most famous African queens that kids should know. Njinga was a princess of the Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms (in modern-day Angola). At the time of her birth, European invaders were beginning to arrive, seeking to acquire land and power. Njinga spent her whole life standing up to them! If you’re looking for a thoughtful way to introduce your kids to African queens and true historical role models, Njinga of Ndongo and Matamba is available as part of the Our Ancestories collection.
What Made Her Unique?
- Diplomatic Genius: When she first met with the European Governor, he offered her only a mat to sit on, while he sat in a large, fancy chair. This was meant to be disrespectful! Quick as a flash, Njinga had one of her servants kneel on all fours, creating a human chair. This sent a clear message: "I am a queen, and I demand respect."
- Warrior Queen: She was known to lead her troops into battle, even late in life. She used smart military tactics, clever alliances, and total determination to keep her kingdom safe for decades.
- A New Capital: After a long fight, Njinga created a new, strong kingdom called Matamba and ruled it successfully until she was 80 years old!
- Memorable Trait for Kids: She showed a European governor who was bossed by turning one of her attendants into a human chair! She would not be disrespected.
2. Queen Amina (Nigeria, c. 16th Century)
The legendary Queen Amina (pronounced Ah-MEE-nah) ruled the Hausa city-state of Zazzau, in what is now northern Nigeria. Her story is one of pure ambition and military might. The question of what Queen Amina accomplished is answered with one word: Conquest!
What Made Her Unique?
- Trained Warrior: Unlike many royal girls, Amina trained to be a warrior from a young age. She was a brilliant military leader who could throw a spear better than anyone!
- Built the "Amina Walls": After she became queen, she decided to expand her territory. For 34 years, she led her army on battle after battle, conquering city after city. To protect the cities she captured and to mark her territory, she ordered the construction of massive defensive mud walls around them. These walls are still called "Amina's Walls" in some places today!
- Centre of Trade: Her conquests were not just about land; they were about protecting and controlling trade routes, making her kingdom wealthy and powerful.
- Memorable Trait for Kids: She was a legendary warrior who led her army on conquests for 34 years and built famous, massive protective walls!
3. Queen Makeda - Ethiopia/Yemen (c. 10th Century BC)
- Who She Was: Perhaps the most famous queen in history, popularly known as the queen of Sheba, appearing in the religious texts of many faiths (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam). In Ethiopia, she is revered as Queen Makeda.
- What She Did: She was known for her incredible wealth and her legendary journey to visit King Solomon. She travelled for thousands of miles to test his wisdom, and it is believed her journey created a powerful connection between Africa and the Middle East that lasted for centuries.
- Simple Biography of African Queens for Students: Makeda was famous for being super smart and super rich. She made a long trip just to talk to a wise king, proving she valued knowledge over everything else.
4. Amanirenas - Kush (Nubia, Sudan/Egypt) (c. 40 BC)
- Who She Was: A powerful warrior queen (a Kandake) of the Kingdom of Kush.
- What She Did: She fought against the mighty Roman Empire, led by the famous Emperor Augustus. She lost an eye in battle, earning the nickname “the one-eyed Queen,” but she continued to lead! She was so fierce and successful that she actually forced the Romans to negotiate a peace treaty, a huge victory against one of the largest empires in world history!
- Simple Biography of African Queens for Students: She was a one-eyed warrior queen who went to war against the giant Roman Empire and won! Her bravery protected her people from invaders.
5. Yaa Asantewaa - Ashanti Kingdom (Ghana) (1840–1921)
- Who She Was: A queen mother (Ohemaa) of the Ashanti Empire, who lived much closer to our own time.
- What She Did: When the British tried to take the Golden Stool (the most sacred symbol of the Ashanti people) and capture the King, Yaa Asantewaa refused to let it happen. She stood up in a meeting and gave a famous speech, challenging the men to fight. She then led the Ashanti army in the War of the Golden Stool, becoming a symbol of resistance and female courage.
- Simple Biography of African Queens for Students: Yaa Asantewaa was an older woman who bravely led an army against a foreign power to protect her people’s most important treasure.
6. Queen Cleopatra VII - Ptolemaic Kingdom (Egypt) (69–30 BC)
- Who She Was: While she is often associated with the Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, she was the last and most famous pharaoh of Egypt.
- What She Did: Cleopatra was known not just for her beauty, but for her incredible intelligence. She was fluent in many languages (including the Egyptian language, which many rulers before her didn't even bother to learn!) and was a brilliant diplomat. She protected Egypt’s independence by forming smart partnerships with powerful men in Rome.
- Simple Biography of African Queens for Students: She was a super-smart queen who spoke many languages and used her brainpower to keep her country safe for many years.
7. Queen Idia (Benin Kingdom, Nigeria, c. 16th Century)
Queen Idia (pronounced EE-dee-ah) was the mother of Oba Esigie, the King of the powerful Benin Kingdom (in modern-day Nigeria). She is the only woman in the history of the Benin Kingdom to be given the title of 'Iyoba' (Queen Mother). Idia of the Benin Kingdom is available as part of the Our Ancestories collection.
What Made Her Unique?
- Military Strategist: Her son, the Oba (King), faced a huge challenge: a war against the neighboring Igala Kingdom. Queen Idia used her knowledge and spiritual power to help her son plan the defence and military strategy. Because of her help, the Benin army won the war!
- First Iyoba: Her son was so grateful for her courage and wisdom that he created the special title of Iyoba just for her and built her a separate palace in the capital. This made the title of Queen Mother incredibly important and powerful forever after in the Benin Kingdom.
- Iconic Art: You might have seen her! She is featured on famous, beautiful bronze and ivory sculptures from Benin, including the famous Ivory Mask of Queen Idia.
- Memorable Trait for Kids: She was the ultimate "power behind the throne," a brilliant strategist who helped her son win a critical war and became the first Queen Mother!
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Teaching Tips: Sharing These Stories
Who were the most important African queens? The ones whose stories inspire the most! Here are some fun ideas for parents and teachers who are trying to teach kids about these heroes.
Storytelling: Making History Fun!
- Character Voices: Use funny or serious voices when you talk about the queens. Try to describe Queen Njinga’s serious face when she sat on her human chair.
- "Show, Don't Tell": When discussing Queen Amina, don't just say she was a warrior. Ask the students to imagine why she chose to build those massive walls to keep her people safe from danger!
- Map Time: Pull out a world map and locate modern Angola (for Njinga), Nigeria (for Amina and Idia), and Sudan/Egypt (for Amanirenas). Seeing the geography makes the history more real.
- Use age-appropriate storybooks that bring African queens to life through vivid illustrations and simple language. Our Ancestories books introduce children to African legends in a way that makes their courage, choices, and personalities easy to understand. Reading these stories aloud allows students to connect emotionally, ask questions, and see African history as something alive and relatable, not distant or abstract.
Activities: Learning by Doing
- The Crown Challenge: Have your students design a crown for one of the queens that represents her most important trait. For example, Queen Amina’s crown could have spears or small walls on it!
- "What Would You Do?": Use the question how do I teach kids about Queen Njinga by turning her famous meeting into a role-play! Ask students: "If a powerful leader were disrespectful to you, what is the smartest way you would handle it?"
- Draw the Scene: Encourage students to draw the most memorable moments: Amanirenas fighting the Romans, Queen Idia advising her son, or Queen Makeda riding her camel on her long journey.
History isn't just about dates and battles but also about people who made a difference. Queen Njinga, Queen Amina, Queen Makeda, and all the incredible queens we talked about today showed us that true power comes from courage, intelligence, and leadership.
These women were trailblazers, and their stories are important for everyone to know. They show us that no matter who you are or where you come from, you can stand up for what is right, lead with confidence, and build a lasting legacy!
Which queen's story are you going to share with your friends first?
Hello, I hope this finds you well.
This is great work. I have also written for kids on the same topics of ancient African history, culture and traditions leading to what we know from our pre-colonial times in East Africa. I wish to join your able team as I help sell you already printed books and booklets across Africa.
Thank you and be blesses
Best regards
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