The Lost African Legacy: Uncovering the Empowered Role of Black Women Before Slavery

Abstract

Sample A. Response Paper 1 [Name] March 9, 2021 AAS. 2316-01 [Name] Being the descendent of slaves, myself and other black Americans have been subjected to a way of life in America that is considerably different from the world we would have been raised in, had slavery and African colonization never occurred. And in an attempt to reclaim pieces of our African background and feel justified in our anger towards the atrocity that was slavery, I believe that we have become accustomed to only associate ourselves with the monarchial roles that African men and women assumed. However, by doing this, we fail to recognize the other roles that helped form a tight knit, and advanced society. A society that was stained by European colonization which brought with it detrimental patriarchal beliefs that harmed what I think is one of the most essential aspects of Africa, the African woman. As I think about what I thought was a vast understanding of Black women, I realize that my understanding of black women had to begin with black women before slavery. Unfortunately, that only extended as far as the small percentage of queens that ruled in African nations. Due to the western gaze, I envisioned African queens being as dictatorial and ruthless as the kings in Europe I had been taught about. Furthermore, in my mind, queens never married nor had children because patriarchy had taught me that if married, queens would be less important than the king and her power would be undermined if she were a mother. Although motherhood and marriage are praised in many cultures, it is also used to weaken women and subject them to a life determined by their husband and children, with little freedom for themselves in patriarchal societies. My mind rarely pondered on the damaging effects this thinking had on me. I did not see my female ancestors as women who could play significant roles in society as religious and political leaders and be mothers and wives at the same time. Knowing that motherhood is regarded as the foundation of every facet of African society and that wives carried status as well shows me that female leaders would be respected and regarded even more highly as wives and mothers. Learning about the roles that African women held before slavery and still hold today, I realize how much the “western gaze’ alters how I view women’s roles as well as matriarchy. While one who opposes matriarchy might say that it would be disastrous and work against men, the profile of African women says differently. Traits that are unique to women, such as fertility, would continue to be honored. The care of children and raising of families would be preserved because society would recognize the importance of childrearing. Furthermore, the family dynamic would extend past those related biologically and form a collectivist community. The Earth and the future of creation would be protected because society would also reverence the fruit that the Earth has produced. More significantly, the power shared between women and men would complement each other for the advancement of society. The matriarchal and complimentary systems of power in early African societies shows me that systems that recognizes that it depends on both women and men are more beneficial and encourage harmony and growth. They also encourage women to be seen as more than nurturers, and caregivers but also as passionate warriors, leaders, and women of faith. While my view of African women before slavery has been changed, I realize that before, it was extremely limited; I had a single-story view of the African woman. Before I learned of the rich history and cultural foundations I come from as a black woman, I find that I associated the black women around me with queens and needed to refer to them as such in order to praise them and who they are. However, because of new knowledge gained, I can refer to them simply as black women. By being women that are a part of the African diaspora, they represent the unity, beauty, divination, and greatness that continues to preserve the ethnic identity of black individuals. This newfound knowledge of African women recalls the poem “Ego Tripping” by Nikki Giovanni. “I sat on...