10 fearless black female warriors who made their mark on history

Queen Nzinga

Queen Nzinga of Ndongo, otherwise known as Njinga Mbande or Ana de Sousa Nzinga Mbande, was born during the time the Atlantic Slave trade was booming and the Portuguese were gradually establishing control over Angola in 1583.

Even though most of the local chiefs aided the Portuguese, either in slave-raiding or taking possession of lands, in return, the queen did not. Instead, she became a military strategist and a warrior. She defeated the Portuguese at Ngoleme and later at the Battle of Kombi.

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Afterwards, the queen and the Portuguese signed a peace treaty and she proclaimed her territory a free country where all lived equally and she became renowned for her bravery and heroism in fighting the slave trade.

The queen also resettled former slaves and protected her people from oppression. Until her death in 1663, she showed compassion to her people and is forever lauded for her exceptional leadership qualities.