Queen Mothers of Ghana, West Africa
Image details
Contributor:
Remo Kurka / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
G13X3DFile size:
22.2 MB (1.2 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
2272 x 3408 px | 19.2 x 28.9 cm | 7.6 x 11.4 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
21 September 2009Location:
Ghana, West AfricaMore information:
Queen Mothers of Ghana, West Africa Queen mothers are leaders and women of power in West Africa. There is no "one size fits all" description of a queen mother. However, generally, queen mothers play an important role in local government and "wield social power and influence." The amount of power they currently hold has been diminished since pre-colonial times. Queen mothers are an important part of the Akan tradition which is based on matrilineal descent. They are also found in the Ashanti Kingdom which is part of the Akan ethnic group. In areas of Ghana where the Akan culture is prominent, each town has a chief and a queen mother who rule alongside the modern political system.[6] Queen mothers have also been recorded in the tradition of the Pabir in north Nigeria, as part of the Benin culture, and in the Krobo area. In other parts of Africa, such as in Uganda, the term queen mother is also used to describe women in power.[8] Today queen mothers are seeing a resurgence in power and influence in Africa.