Sarraounia

Around 1898 Queen Sarraounia of Azna

She was ruler of an animist group of Eastern Hausa. Queen Sarraounia of the Aznas in Africa fought French colonists in 1899. While some kingdoms readily collaborated with the French in the hope of finally subduing her and her kingdom, and others capitulated without a fight, she mobilized her people and resources, military as well as magical, to confront the French force which launched a fierce attack on her fortress capital of Lougou. Overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the French, she and her fighters retreated tactically from the fortress, and engaged the attackers in a protracted guerrilla battle which eventually forced the French to abandon their project of subduing her. Sarraounia means queen or chiefess, and among the Azna people of Lougou and surrounding Hausa towns and villages, the term refers to a lineage of female rulers who exercised both political and religious power. The 1986 film Sarraounia is based on her life.

ource

* [http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/Niger_Substates.htm="Niger Substates"]

*"Battle of Lougou"

* [http://www.international.ucla.edu/africa/events/showevent.asp?eventid=4104 "Film Screening of "Sarraounia" URL accessed 10/30/06]