Women’s forgotten role in African resistance to slavery
Historians shed light on the crucial yet overlooked role of women in African resistance against slavery and colonialism
DAKAR, Senegal (MNTV) – Historians and activists are calling for a deeper reckoning with the role of women in slave revolts across Africa and the diaspora, challenging centuries of historical erasure.
Recent research highlights the bravery of countless enslaved African women who not only participated in but also led uprisings against colonial powers and slave traders.
These women, often portrayed only as victims, were in fact key architects of resistance strategies, organizers of revolts, and preservers of cultural identity under brutal conditions.
Mamyrah Prosper, a scholar of African history, argues that mainstream narratives have long focused on male figures while sidelining the vital contributions of women.
“From the shores of Senegal to the plantations of the Caribbean, women fought fiercely for freedom,” she said during a symposium in Dakar.
Figures like Nanny of the Maroons in Jamaica, who led a successful guerrilla war against British forces, and the countless unnamed women who poisoned slave masters, spread subversive messages, and organized rebellions, are gaining overdue recognition.
In many cases, women were central to building networks of resistance, using coded language, songs, and religious ceremonies to pass on messages of revolt. Their social roles as caregivers and community leaders allowed them to influence broad swathes of the enslaved population.
“The plantation was a battlefield, and women were its generals,” said Prosper.
Beyond direct rebellion, women also fought through cultural survival — preserving African languages, traditions, and spiritual practices that colonial forces sought to erase.
New academic projects, such as the “Forgotten Women of Revolt” archive, are compiling testimonies, folklore, and historical documents to reconstruct a fuller picture of women’s resistance.
However, researchers face challenges. Colonial archives often omit or downplay women’s roles, and oral histories risk being lost as elder generations pass away.
Activists say restoring these stories is not just an academic exercise but a necessary act of justice. They argue that the descendants of these women must see their ancestors not only as survivors of horror but as leaders and visionaries who shaped history.
“Honoring these women is key to reclaiming African dignity and agency,” said Fatou Diop, a Dakar-based rights activist.
The renewed focus also comes amid wider movements across Africa and the diaspora to decolonize history curricula and demand reparations for slavery’s enduring impacts.
Memorial events, exhibitions, and educational programs are being launched across African countries to ensure that the next generation learns about these unsung heroines.
“Freedom was not given to us,” said Diop. “It was fought for, and women were always at the frontlines.”
As African nations continue to revisit their past, scholars stress that remembering the full story of resistance — and recognizing the women who embodied it — is essential to forging a future rooted in truth, pride, and empowerment.
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