Wonder Woman of the Week: Nana Asma'u

Odds are, you probably are not an expert in Nigerian history or Islamic feminism, but luckily this week's WWoW can enlighten you on both subjects. Nana Asma'u was the daughter Usman don Fodio, the first Caliph (or king) of the Sokoto Caliphate which rose to power after a long series of wars in present day northern Nigeria. Nana and her brother both prospered from their father's rule- mostly because their other siblings didn't survive to adulthood. While Nana's brother prepared to inherit the throne of his father's kingdom, Nana inheritted her father's wisdom. Nana learned from scholars across the Muslim world which at the time were some of the most intelligent and scientifically minded people on the planet. She because an avid poet, public speaker, and political advocate for women's rights- all before the 20th century. When her father died and her brother became the caliph, Nana became one of the most influential advisors in Sokoto history. Through her role as advisor, she opened schools for women and in 1830 trained women to be teachers (called jajis) who traveled throughout the caliphate to educate women in poetry and classical studies including Islamic and Latin history. (Nana Asma'u herself was noted for her knowledge of five languages, Muslim and Greco-Latin history, and a million other subjects you probably slept through in college.) In Nigeria today, most schools, meeting halls, and other women's organisations are named after Nana Asma'u- probably the most important woman in Nigerian history.