African women traditional chiefs and rulers

Abstract

In many parts of Africa, women have always held significant authority in the governing structures of their political entities. Whether as co-rulers with male relatives, religious titleholders, or market queens, high-ranking women normally retained the power to judge cases, arbitrate disputes, distribute resources, and appoint male rulers. Many of these powers were reduced or eliminated with colonialism, but in many regions, the traditional roles and prerogatives of women rulers persist into the contemporary era.