Kinship in early West and Central African societies was the backbone of political structures.
Extended kinship ties were not just family connections; they formed the basis for political alliances and leadership.
This is where your understanding can go wrong: thinking of kinship as merely familial.
In reality, these ties were the fabric of political power.
Women held significant roles, from spiritual leaders to political advisors.
Queen Idia of Benin exemplified this: she was the first iyoba, or queen mother, advising her son, the king.
Her influence was political, not just maternal.
Queen Njinga of Ndongo-Matamba led her people in guerilla warfare against the Portuguese, using military strategy and political alliances to maintain control.
Misunderstanding her participation in the slave trade as purely economic misses the strategic dimension: it was about amassing power and influence.
Both queens used their positions to wield significant influence, challenging the simplistic view of female roles in leadership.
Focus on how kinship and individual agency intersected with broader political dynamics.