Historian, journalist and writer Paula Akpan comes to Sheffield to uncover the stories of African women who ruled kingdoms, led communities and resisted conquest in When We Ruled: The Rise and Fall of Twelve African Queens and Warriors.
Appearing in conversation with Dr Yinka Olusoga, Akpan takes audiences on a journey through African history, from pre-colonial Nigeria and Rwanda to Madagascar and South Africa.
At the centre of the event are women who exercised political, military and cultural power but whose stories remain unfamiliar to many British audiences.
Through her work, Akpan challenges versions of African history in which women are absent and versions of Black history that begin primarily with enslavement or colonialism.
Instead, audiences encounter royalty, ancient civilisations, resistance, conquest and complex societies in which African women were central figures.
Paula Akpan is a historian, journalist and writer whose work explores Black history, culture and identity.
She is joined by Dr Yinka Olusoga, lecturer in education at the University of Sheffield and co-author of Black History for Every Day of the Year.
Taking place during Black History Month, When We Ruled is an oppor
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