Ancient African heroes
Heroes Come to Life
Legendary rulers, warriors, and resistance leaders from across the continent — filter by region to explore heroes from a particular part of Africa.
Yaa Asantewaa
Queen Mother who led the War of the Golden Stool
When the men of the Ashanti Empire hesitated to fight British colonizers, the Queen Mother of Ejisu picked up a rifle herself and led them into war.
Read the story →Mansa Musa
Emperor of Mali whose wealth reshaped world maps
The tenth mansa of the Mali Empire is remembered as one of the richest individuals in recorded history, and his 1324 pilgrimage to Mecca made the world take notice of West Africa.
Read the story →Sundiata Keita
The Lion Prince who founded the Mali Empire
Exiled as a sickly child and mocked by rivals, Sundiata Keita returned to unite the Mandinka kingdoms and found the empire that would make Mansa Musa's wealth possible.
Read the story →Amina of Zazzau
Warrior queen who expanded the Hausa city-state of Zazzau
Trained in warfare from a young age, Amina became queen of Zazzau and spent much of her reign leading military campaigns that expanded her territory and its trade routes.
Read the story →Samory Touré
Founder of the Wassoulou Empire and resistance leader
A skilled military organizer, Samory Touré built an empire in West Africa and fought a prolonged resistance campaign against French colonial expansion for nearly two decades.
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