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ROYAL WOMEN OF
V ALOUR
By Zeina I. Otonjo
Although societies have been that it was instead her mellifluous establishing the cult of Aten, the
predominantly led by men, quite speaking voice and “irresistible Egyptian culture, promoting the
a number of women in Africa’s charm” that made her so country’s language and artwork.
history have taken bold steps desirable.
to stamp their names in the The circumstances surrounding
continent’s annals. A lot of them Cleopatra believed herself to be Nefertiti’s death are a mystery, as
rose to power by leading on a living goddess, and she often her name disappears from the
the battle front, but a few also used clever stagecraft to woo historical record at about the 12th
balanced their natural instincts potential allies and reinforce her year of Akhenaten’s 17-year reign.
for strategy and nurture to divine status. A popular theory suggests that
encourage others to stand tall Nefertiti abandoned her old title
in adversity, therefore putting Queen Nefertiti at that point and became official
themselves in the history books Queen Nefertiti is a prominent co-regent under the name of
forever. Let’s take a look at some queen from ancient Egypt. Her Neferneferuaten. We may never
powerful queens in history. name means “a beautiful woman know, but her “Nefertiti bust” is
has come.” She left a legacy of identified as her likeness because
Queen Cleopatra strength, beauty, and power. A lot of the characteristic crown,
Although many historians claim of disparity about her origins have which she wears in all other
her sensuality and beauty were shown through history, however it inscribed depictions of her. Upon
her weapons, Cleopatra was is believed that she was born in a its discovery in 1912, the portrait
more than looks. She spoke as state located in modern-day Syria has immortalised Nefertiti as the
many as a dozen languages and or the town of Akhmim. symbol of ideal feminine beauty.
was educated in mathematics,
philosophy, oration and She is believed to have married Queen Amina
astronomy. Egyptian sources later Akhenaten, who ruled Egypt from Queen Amina of Zaria was the
described her as a ruler “who 1353 to 1336 B.C. They became first woman to become the
elevated the ranks of scholars parents to six children, including Sarauniya (queen) in a male-
and enjoyed their company.” The the famous King Tutankhamun. dominated society. She expanded
ancient writer Plutarch claimed She and the king were behind the the territory of the Hausa people
that Cleopatra’s beauty was “not expansion of the Egyptian nation. of North Africa to its largest
altogether incomparable,” and They were also responsible for borders in history. Much of what is
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