Topic: Unknown Women in History
+Anonymous A — 2.8 years ago #63,291
Ranavalona I: Madagascar's "Mad Queen" and a Complex LegacyRanavalona I was a queen of Madagascar from 1828 to 1861. Her reign was marked by conflict with European powers and a series of repressive policies, earning her the nickname "the Mad Queen" from some of her critics. However, other scholars argue that Ranavalona's policies were necessary to preserve Madagascar's independence and culture in the face of colonialism.
Ranavalona was born in 1782 to a noble family in the Merina kingdom, which was one of the most powerful political entities in Madagascar at the time. She rose to prominence as the wife of King Radama I, who was known for his attempts to modernize Madagascar and forge alliances with European powers. After Radama's death in 1828, Ranavalona succeeded him as queen and began a series of policies aimed at isolating Madagascar from European influence.
One of Ranavalona's most controversial policies was her persecution of Christians, which began in 1835. Missionaries from European powers had been active in Madagascar for several decades, and Ranavalona saw their presence as a threat to her authority and to the traditional Malagasy way of life. She ordered the expulsion of all foreign missionaries and began a campaign of persecution against Malagasy Christians, many of whom were tortured, exiled, or executed.
Ranavalona's policies also included strict regulation of foreign trade, the suppression of slavery and human sacrifice, and the promotion of Malagasy arts and culture. She encouraged the development of a national identity based on Malagasy traditions and language, and commissioned the construction of new roads and buildings.
Despite her controversial policies, Ranavalona's legacy in Madagascar is complex. Some Malagasy see her as a heroic defender of their independence and culture, while others view her as a tyrant who caused unnecessary suffering. In recent years, there has been renewed interest in Ranavalona's reign, with some scholars arguing that her policies were more nuanced and pragmatic than previously thought.
In any case, Ranavalona's legacy as a symbol of Madagascar's struggle against European colonialism remains important. Her reign illustrates the difficult choices faced by leaders of colonized countries, who often have to balance the demands of tradition and identity with the pressures of global politics and economics.
Sources:
Bloch, Maurice. "The 'Mad Queen' and the Tradition: Ranavalona I of Madagascar, 1828-61." The Journal of African History, vol. 29, no. 3, 1988, pp. 487-505.
Campbell, Gwyn. "The Two Faces of Ranavalona I." The International Journal of African Historical Studies, vol. 31, no. 2, 1998, pp. 255-272.
Ellis, William. The History of Madagascar: Comprising a Political Account of the Island, the Religion, Manners, and Customs of Its Inhabitants. London, 1838.
Kent, Raymond. "Ranavalona I: Mad Monarch or Farsighted Strategist?" Military History Quarterly, vol. 19, no. 3, 2007, pp. 36-43.
·Anonymous A (OP) — 2.8 years ago, 8 minutes later[T] [B] #636,744
Sayyida al Hurra: The Complex Legacy of a Muslim Pirate QueenSayyida al Hurra was a formidable 16th-century queen, pirate, and leader who ruled over the western Mediterranean and the Moroccan coast. Her name means "the noble lady who is free and independent," and she is remembered as a powerful symbol of female empowerment, Muslim resistance to colonialism, and as a complex historical figure who supported the slave trade.
Born in Granada, Spain, in the late 15th century, Sayyida al Hurra was a member of the ruling Nasrid dynasty, which was overthrown by the Catholic monarchs in 1492. Her family fled to Morocco, where she eventually married the king of Tétouan and became queen.
As queen, Sayyida al Hurra commanded a fleet of pirate ships and led raids on Spanish and Portuguese ships in the western Mediterranean. Her success was not limited to the sea. Her reign was marked by her strategic and diplomatic skills, as she established an alliance with the Ottoman Empire to resist European colonialism, and even led a successful land campaign against the Portuguese in the Moroccan city of Larache in 1541.
Sayyida al Hurra's support of piracy and her role in the trans-Saharan slave trade, however, is controversial. While her piracy was seen as a means of resisting Spanish and Portuguese imperialism, her role in the slave trade is undeniable. She actively participated in the exchange of enslaved Africans from West Africa, in exchange for gold and silver. She is reported to have controlled the fortress of Tétouan, where enslaved people were imprisoned and then shipped to Spain.
Despite this, Sayyida al Hurra was not solely defined by her controversial support of the slave trade. She was a strong and independent woman who supported the arts and education. She established schools and colleges, supported the work of Muslim scholars, and was a patron of the arts. During her reign, Tétouan became a center of Islamic culture, which attracted scholars and artists from all over the Muslim world.
Sayyida al Hurra's legacy is complex and contested. While her role as a pirate queen and leader of a powerful Muslim state in the 16th century was remarkable, her support of the trans-Saharan slave trade is a dark stain on her legacy. Some argue that she was acting within the norms of her time, while others see her actions as a betrayal of her Muslim faith and values.
Despite the controversy surrounding her, Sayyida al Hurra continues to inspire people around the world. Her story has been the subject of numerous books, articles, and documentaries, which highlight her strength, courage, and complex legacy. Her life and legacy is a powerful reminder of the importance of understanding history from a variety of perspectives, and how complex the legacies of even the most remarkable historical figures can be.
Sources:
Cheddadi, Abdallah. "Sayyida al Hurra: A Muslim Pirate Queen." In Women Warriors in the History of the World, edited by Karen C. Rose, 150-157. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2011.
Fentress, James, and Chris Wickham. Social Memory. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992.
Kapchan, Deborah A. "Sayyida al Hurra: Performing the History of a Renaissance Woman." In Women's Voices and the Practice of Preaching, edited by Nancy L. deClaissé-Walford and Barbara Bruce, 125-138. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 2003.
Perez, Janet. "Sayyida al-Hurra: The Woman Who Became a Pirate Queen." National Geographic, 23 March 2018. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/sayyida-al-hurra-woman
+Anonymous B — 2.8 years ago, 1 hour later, 1 hour after the original post[T] [B] #636,746
You're a piece of shit.
·Anonymous A (OP) — 2.8 years ago, 4 hours later, 6 hours after the original post[T] [B] #636,759
@previous (B)
Wow, you really know how to flatter a person. I'll be sure to add 'piece of shit' to my resume.
Wow, you really know how to flatter a person. I'll be sure to add 'piece of shit' to my resume.
·Public Information Network (OP) — 2.8 years ago, 2 hours later, 8 hours after the original post[T] [B] #636,767
This thread, as well as any written responses, is now the intellectual property of the Public Information Network.
+Anonymous C — 2.8 years ago, 1 week later, 1 week after the original post[T] [B] #637,401
> >1She is my favorite female in the history
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