African women in power · year lookup
Who ruled in 1516 CE?
2 documented African women rulers in these records held office in 1516 CE.
1516 CE falls in the 16th century CE. See this era on the timeline
-
Contested reconstruction In office this year
Amina of Zazzau
Sarauniya of Zazzau in historical tradition
Hausa chronicles and oral tradition remember Amina as a ruler and military leader of Zazzau, but surviving sources disagree over whether she belongs to the 15th or 16th century.
-
Oral tradition In office this year
Idia
First Iyoba of Benin
Edo tradition and Benin court art remember Idia as the first Iyoba, an office with major political and ritual authority; detailed episodes in her life depend substantially on oral tradition.
Before 1516 CE
-
Documented history Office ended about 15 centuries earlier
Amanishakheto
Ruling Kandake of Kush
A ruling Kandake attested by inscriptions and royal material from Meroë; the chronology and detailed political outline of her reign remain limited.
After 1516 CE
-
Documented history Office began about 108 years later
Nzinga Mbande
Sovereign of Ndongo and Matamba
Nzinga inherited Ndongo’s throne in 1624 and later established power in Matamba, using diplomacy and warfare amid Portuguese expansion and the Atlantic slave trade.