The legendary Queen Sarraounia
Among the Hausa, some communities often had women as leaders. Endowed with real temporal power, the Sarraounia ruled over a kingdom that prospered thanks to trade with the Tuareg and the Toubou
In the Hausa language, “Sarraounia” means “queen”. The term refers to the title given to the political and religious leader of the community. It is a hereditary title whose origin probably dates back to the 17th century.
Among the Hausa, some communities often had women as leaders. Endowed with real temporal power, the Sarraounia ruled over a kingdom that prospered thanks to trade with the Tuareg and the Toubou of the desert. Lougou had a thriving market, fortified by a surrounding wall.
The Central Africa Mission, created in 1898 and led by Captains Paul Voulet and Julien Chanoine, set out from Saint-Louis in Senegal to reach Chad. Along the way, the mission looted and destroyed many villages in the regions it crossed. But at Lougou, they met the opposition of the soldiers of Sarraounia Mangou.
One of the figures of the resistance, a symbol of pride for Niger! Like Behanzin, she is one of Africa’s proud heroes.