CLARK HIST 252 - Women in Medieval West Africa

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WOMEN IN MEDIEVAL WEST AFRICAThe history of medieval West Africa utilizes archaeological artifacts, myths, chronicles, oral traditions, and work of Arabian and European writers. Ibn Battuta, circa 14th century, wrote about his experience in Timbuktu, the major city, that “…women were treated with more respect than men…” yet he denounced the nudity of their women and their lack of seclusion. As can be expected, caution is needed when using these Muslim sources, as from the 9th c. on Muslims attempted to conquer and convert West Africans. In the process many native customs were forgotten and many documents and artistic renderings were destroyed. Women were greatly esteemed for their importance in various roles: state founders, mothers,creators, and queens. Women were regarded as the source of life and wisdom. Leading roles in agricultural, architecture, culture, religion, economy and defense were played by women. However,with the introduction of Islam, there began a change from matrilfocal society to patriarfocal one, albeit a long process. Remnants of a matrilineal society in places could be observed until recently. In some areas women were held at a higher status than men. Changes in society that decreased women’s status were: elders, chiefs, kings, & heads of big families, development of early feudal relationships, and development of towns. These are the same conditions that affected women in medieval Europe too.Marriage and family practicesPrior to Muslim Jihads of the Almoravids in the 11th c. we know that polygamy was practiced, but mainly by people of high status, although it was not especially favored. Lower class men and women were monogamous. A bride price was given by the perspective bridegroom as a guarantee that betrothed women were to be respected, honored, and protected. Once women were married, they could bring complaints about their husbands to the council of elders. If the problems in the marriage were irreconcilable, and the fault rested with the husband, then the wife could divorce him and get another husband.Most marriages were arranged outside of the tribe. This exogamy meant that women could be active partners in starting their relationship. If they were in love with a specific male, then they sent him a dish of tasty food with pytto or palm wine. Premarital relations were a matter of mutual consent. It appears that love and mutual affection dominated the decision to get married.Wedding Customs (more will be added later)There were a wide variety of wedding customs. Certain areas a medicine man or magician was present at the wedding. Secret ceremonies and sacrificial rites were carried out too.MotherhoodGreat honor was attached to motherhood. As there was widespread belief in reincarnation, every child born was believed to be a fully or partially reincarnated form of a beloved ancestor. Mothers were considered receptacles or sources for bringing the reincarnated back to earth. The dead were enjoined to return to their communities as quickly as possible. The names of the childrenreflected this. “Yetunde” meant mother has returned again. “Babatunde” meant that the father has returned again. As shrines were erected in honor of mothers, then it appears the mother’s place was a more honorable position than the father’s. Women and mothers were also immortalized as goddesses. Music, dancing, and poetry were all used to honor mothers. One tribe the daughters erected a personal matrilineal shrine and called it the “The Mothers.” There were shrines in the homes to honor their deceased mothers too. This was often a small rounded conical clay mound. This was the reward for being a good mother.Children – more laterStylized wooden dolls were worn as amulets or used as statutes to protect against infertility, and to insure easy delivery, and that the child would be healthy and well-formed. Queens, princesses, court ladiesIn many African countries their inhabitants retain memories of famous women rulers, women warriors, co-regents and queen mothers. In Ghana according to folk tales there were many 2female co-regents. In one of the Ashanti states eighteen queens were reputed to have reigned between 1295 and 1740. Queen Amina 1550-1590 was the most famous. Her image is on the Nigerian’s government home page and currency today. Amina was probably the granddaughter of the Sarkin King Zazzau Nohir. Zazzua was one of the Hausa city-states that dominated the trans-Saharan trade after the collapse of the Songhai Empire. At the age of sixteen, Amina became the heir apparent to her mother, the ruling queen of Zazzua. When her mother died around 1566, her younger brother Karama became King. Apparently it was Amina’s choice as she was the leading warrior of the Zazzua cavalry and wanted to continue that as her military achievements brought her great wealth and power. When her brother Karama died after a ten-year rule, Amina became queen. She ruled for thirty-four years, expanding Zazzua to its largest extent. This meant their territory went all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. It is now thought that Amina was instrumental in keeping England out of the gold fields of West Africa because of her military might. Queen Amina built many earthen city walls and fortifications, many of which are still standing, and known as Amina’s walls. The annexation of neighboring lands was not necessarily done with warriors stationed at these sites, but forcing them to accept vassal status, so her Hausa traders would be safe. Amina alsoutilized eunuchs in her government as she felt they were better servants, so she encouraged men to be castrated. Amina is also credited with introducing kola nuts to the economy. They became the recognized symbol of hospitality and the universal expression of good will. Even though they contained a mild narcotic stimulant, they were acceptable to the Muslims. Thus, kola nuts were used for both medicinal and ceremonial use in West Africa.Another prominent West African queen was Queen Kufuru. The Nigerian area Hausa city-state was founded and ruled by her. Eight queens succeeded her. When Kings took over the ruling of these lands, a story about a snake was told to justify this change. Apparently, a Muslim stranger killed a sacred snake who had prevented getting water out of the only well. Thereafter it was ruled by men.3Where polygamy was practiced by rulers, the chief wife had enough


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