Unsung heroes and heroines of African history

The African history is rich with extraordinary figures who marked their eras with courage, leadership, and determination to fight against oppression, slavery, and colonization. While names like Nelson Mandela or Patrice Lumumba are widely celebrated, other heroes and heroines remain unjustly unknown. This article shines a light on these unsung fighters who have shaped Africa’s history.
1. Kimpa Vita (1684–1706) - The Joan of Arc of Kongo

Kimpa Vita was a prophetess and a religious reformer from the Kingdom of Kongo.

• She founded the Antonian movement, advocating for an Africanized Christianity and resisting European colonial influence.
• She called for unity within the Kingdom of Kongo, which was divided by internal conflicts and slavery.
• Betrayed and captured, she was burned alive in 1706, yet her message inspired future resistance.

2. Behanzin (1845–1906) - The Last Great King of Dahomey

Behanzin was the last independent king of Dahomey before French colonization.

• He led fierce resistance against French troops from 1890 to 1894.
• His army included the renowned “Dahomey Amazons,” formidable female warriors.
• Captured and exiled by the French in 1894, he remains a symbol of anti-imperialist struggle.

3. Yaa Asantewaa (1840–1921) - The Warrior Queen of the Ashanti

Yaa Asantewaa was the Queen Mother of the Ashanti people in Ghana.

• In 1900, she led an uprising against the British, who sought to seize the Ashanti Golden Stool.
• She successfully mobilized an army to fight colonial forces.
• Exiled to the Seychelles after their defeat, she today represents African women’s resistance.

4. Samori Touré (1830–1900) - The Emperor Who Defied France

Samori Touré was a strategist and military leader who resisted French colonization in West Africa.

• He built a powerful empire spanning Mali, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire.
• He employed guerrilla warfare tactics against French forces.
• Captured in 1898, he died in exile, but his legacy continues to inspire the fight for freedom.

5. Nehanda Nyakasikana (c. 1840–1898) - The Spirit of Resistance in Zimbabwe

Nehanda was a spiritual leader and medium of the Shona people in Zimbabwe.

• She played a key role in the First Chimurenga War (1896–1897) against British colonization.
• Captured by the British, she was executed by hanging in 1898.
• Today, she remains a symbol of Zimbabwe’s independence struggle.

6. Bai Bureh (1840–1908) - The Leader of the Sierra Leone Uprising

Bai Bureh led a rebellion against British-imposed taxes in Sierra Leone in 1898.

• His forces used guerrilla tactics to resist the British for over a year.
• Though he was eventually captured, his bravery made him a national hero in Sierra Leone.

7. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (1900–1978) - The Mother of Nigerian Feminism

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was a champion for women’s rights and a nationalist in Nigeria.

• She fought against colonial oppression and for women’s political rights.
• She led the Abeokuta Women’s Revolt against unjust taxes imposed by the British.
• She inspired her son, musician and activist Fela Kuti, to fight for social justice.

Conclusion

Though often overlooked, these heroes and heroines played crucial roles in African history. They fought for freedom, justice, and independence, often at the cost of their lives. Their courage must be recognized and passed on to future generations, ensuring that Africa’s history is not only written by its colonizers, but also by those who defended it.