I Put It To You, That The African Woman Has Not Always Been In A Subordinate Position
Dear Nyaaba,
I recall that you and your elder brother used my grandmother as your bank, except that unlike modern banks that give you what you request from your account, my grandmother had discretion, and was not afraid to exercise it, only giving you what she deemed was necessary.
Many were the days also, when my grandmother’s opinion was sought, on very topical matters affecting the clan and the village writ large. In my mind’s eye I can see both you and Grandpa Afe, fully garbed, no, decked, standing at grandma’s door, waiting for your pecuniary ration. Though my candidate for canonization, my grandma had authority and she wielded it forcefully. It is for these reasons that I have never countenanced the fabrication of ‘horror stories’ about women’ relegation to the lowest of human society, perennially at the mercy of men and constructively subhuman.
The assertion that African women have always been in subordinate positions within their societies is not only historically inaccurate, but it also undermines the complex and diverse roles they have played throughout history. To suggest that African women were always relegated to subordinate roles is to ignore the rich tapestry of their power, agency, and leadership throughout the centuries. Far from being passive figures, African women have consistently shaped the course of history, politics, culture, and economics in ways that defy simplistic stereotypes.
In pre-colonial Africa, women held significant positions of power, both within family structures and across larger political landscapes. One of the most striking examples of this is the presence of powerful female monarchs, warriors, and leaders. For instance, in the Kingdom of Dahomey (modern-day Benin), women were not only active in governance but also led armies as the legendary “Amazons” – a group of fiercely trained female warriors who protected their kingdom. Similarly, Queen Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba in present-day Angola led successful resistance movements against Portuguese colonial forces in the 17th century, demonstrating that African women could not be easily dismissed or subdued.
In addition to rulers, African women were deeply embedded in the economic systems of their societies. Many African cultures traditionally placed women at the center of trade, farming, and craft production. Women controlled important commercial networks, particularly in societies where the market economy flourished, such as in West Africa, where women often dominated the trade of goods such as textiles, foodstuffs, and even gold. Their influence extended to the political and social spheres as well, as women were often consulted in decision-making processes, particularly in societies where the collective wisdom of both genders was valued.
One of the most significant aspects of African culture that challenges the notion of inherent female subordination is the prevalence of matrilineal systems in many African societies. In these societies, lineage, inheritance, and power were passed down through the maternal line, rather than through the paternal line, as is often the case in many other parts of the world. In such societies, women were not only central figures in maintaining family and social structures, but they also wielded considerable authority in choosing leaders and influencing political decisions. The Akan people of Ghana, the Baganda of Uganda, and the Iroquois of North America are among the examples of such matrilineal societies, where women’s influence was integral to maintaining the balance of power.
The position of African women began to change dramatically with the arrival of European colonial powers in the 19th and 20th centuries. Colonialism introduced a rigid, patriarchal framework that imposed Western gender norms and significantly diminished the social, political, and economic power of African women. Colonial administrators often disregarded or undermined African women’s roles in governance and trade, replacing indigenous systems of power with colonial structures that marginalized female authority.
Colonial policies also disrupted the traditional roles of women in African societies by promoting the idea of European superiority, including their patriarchal family structures. Many colonial authorities viewed African women as subservient and sought to implement laws that confined them to domestic spheres, thereby reinforcing their subordination. The imposition of foreign religious ideologies and legal systems further exacerbated the loss of power for African women.
Despite these external forces, African women have never been passive victims of their circumstances. Across the continent, women have consistently resisted colonialism and fought for their rights. Women were at the forefront of resistance movements against colonial rulers, and they played crucial roles in liberation struggles across Africa. In countries such as Algeria, Mozambique, Kenya, and South Africa, women organized protests, fought in wars of independence, and stood side by side with men in the struggle for freedom.
The resilience and leadership of African women in these struggles speak to a deep, unyielding spirit that transcends the limitations imposed by colonial and patriarchal forces. Women such as Yaa Asantewaa, Winnie Mandela, Amina Mama, and Yvonne Vera continue to inspire generations of African women who recognize the importance of reclaiming their voice, dignity, and power.
In contemporary Africa, women continue to break boundaries and defy expectations. African women are active leaders in politics, education, business, and culture. From Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who became Africa’s first female head of state, to Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman, Ghana’s first ever Vice President, to the millions of women who are leading social justice movements, women are increasingly claiming positions of power and influence in African society.
Furthermore, African women are transforming the narrative surrounding their roles by focusing on the intersections of gender, race, and identity in their work. Through art, literature, activism, and scholarship, African women are shaping the future, asserting their rights, and rewriting the history of their oppression. This new wave of feminist thought and action is empowering women across the continent to challenge entrenched patriarchal systems and reclaim spaces that were once closed to them.
The idea that African women have always been in subordinate positions overlooks the long and rich history of women’s power, leadership, and influence across the continent. From pre-colonial times to the modern day, African women have played critical roles in shaping societies, economies, and politics. While colonialism and patriarchy have certainly impacted the status of African women, their resilience and contributions demonstrate that their strength is not defined by subordination. Instead, African women’s histories are full of stories of resistance, power, and transformation, reclaiming their rightful place as architects of Africa’s past, present, and future. So let no one continue to perpetuate that negative narrative, making many women to wallow in lifelong pity parties, blaming patriarchy and thereby failing to take their rightful place in society.
Your obstinately optimistic descendant,
The Siriguboy
Kasise Ricky Peprah
About Author
