Examining the Wrongs Against the Present African Women: An Enquiry on Black Women’s Roles and Contributions from Antiquity - A Black African Male Scholarly Comparative Perspective by Onencan Apuke Cankech A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of Sociology and Equity Studies in Education University of Toronto © Copyright by Onencan Apuke Cankech (2010) Examining the Wrongs Against the Present African Women: An Enquiry on Black Women‘s Roles and Contributions from Antiquity - A Black African Male Scholarly Perspective Onencan Apuke Cankech « Master of Arts » Department of Sociology and Equity Studies in Education University of Toronto « 2010» Abstract The thesis examined the roles and contributions of Black women during the African ancient civilization by analyzing the lives, roles and contributions of Queen Hatshepsut and Nefertiti as case studies and interrogates how Black women positioned themselves as political, military and spiritual leaders during the age of antiquity. The argument is that African women were more involved as leaders in the affairs of their communities as compared to the contemporary times. By using African centered paradigms, Afrocentricity and juxtaposing robust anti-colonial and Black feminist thoughts, the thesis investigates and recreates systematic narratives of the past roles of African women at the very height of African civilization, discussed the changes in sex-gender roles and explained why contemporary women continue to experience difficulties in assessing position of leadership and resources. The study reproduces measured facts to confront the blurred roles and contributions of African women and situates it at the centre of education. ii Acknowledgments I am indebted to the Ontario Institute of Studies of Education for providing me the space to carry this research. My special thanks go to Prof. Njoki Nathani Wane (my supervisor) who at all times did not hesitate to assist me whenever I wanted. Her interest and comments were far enriching and beyond my simple guesswork could have ever imagined. Equally, I thank Prof. Paul Olson for his critical comments and advise. Similarity, I would like to acknowledge with much appreciation Prof. George Sefa Dei in whose class of African Development I learned first to refuse any idea that Africa is a dying continent. My brief encounter with Prof. Molefi Asante can also not pass without being mentioned. I found his lectures especially on Afrocentricity very challenging to modern scholarship and made me see Africa as a story of heroism and courage which will forever remind the world about its contributions in civilizing the rest of humanity. I feel blessed that my journey in the academia made me meet these fine professors. To me, the analyses of these professors were very refreshing and illuminating, and indeed qualify them to fit in the class of finest intellectual philanthropists of our time. To my classmates in Black Feminist thoughts, Indigenous Knowledge, African Development and Spirituality classes, I just want to say that you were exceptional lots. I enjoyed your sense of intellectualism. I owe you all my appreciation and wish you all the best of luck. iii To friends: Ocen Alexandre, Lajul Michael, Okema Vincent, Lugemwa Joseph, Asio Evelyn, Akena F.A, the Lillians, Dr. Onek Adyanga, Dr. Okaka, Dr. Ocan, Mukwaya S. Nasser and many other whose names I cannot mention here, I express my appreciation for your encouragement during various stages of my education. Please accept my sincere gratitude because without your insights and support, I would have possibly got lost and gone somewhere else. Thanks. Finally, this thesis might not have seen the radiance of today‘s world without the support from my brother George Kinyera and his wife Santa Laker, uncle Paul Ojera and Min Adong (R.I.P), auntie Adong and uncle Ocan Ben (R.I.P). Equally, I express my sincere appreciation to my late sister and brothers and uncle: Lamunu Florence, Omony Charles, John, Ojara, Okello, and Lakwoo Wod pa Sulu (R.I.Ps.) who ensured that I continue to remain focused, stay cheerful and enjoy the best schooling experience- something that was relatively very scarce during the years of civil unrest and mayhem which ravaged my people and devastated the countryside aswell. Thanks. iv Dedications This thesis is dedicated to my late grandmothers Min Akele Sulu, Min Angee and my mother Mrs. Akweyo Eromalina Apuke (magnificent women) in whose hands I first learned intricate earthly survival modes. AND My father Mr. Apuke C.V. Omony (R. I. P) whose love for education and knowledge electrified several and earned him perpetual presence in so many minds. v Table of Contents Contents Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………………ii Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................ vi Chapter 1 Introduction.................................................................................................................. 1 1 Background and Connection to the study .................................................................................. 1 1.1 Antiquity: Its significances, links and Implications .................................................... 8 1.2 Why go back up to the past to understand the present wrongs? ........................... 10 1.3 A Brief Synopsis and Breakdown of the Chapters .................................................... 17 1.3.1 Chapter One: Introduction, Connection and Assumptions ......................... 17 1.3.2 Chapter Two: Personal Discursive Locations of the Author in this Study .................................................................................................................... 18 1.3.3 Chapter Three: Discursive Frameworks ......................................................... 18 1.3.4 Chapter Four: Research Methodology ........................................................... 20 1.3.5 Chapter Five: African Women in Antiquity: A Case Study of Queen Nefertiti and Queen Hatshepsut ...................................................................... 20 1.3.6 Chapter Six: Discussions, Analysis and Recommendation.......................... 21 1.4 General Assumptions and Propositions in this thesis .............................................. 22 1.5 Limitations of this study ............................................................................................... 26 Chapter 2 ....................................................................................................................................... 36 2 Personal Discursive Locations in this Study ............................................................................ 36 Chapter 3 Discursive Frameworks ............................................................................................ 52 3 Theoretical and Pedagogical Implications in this Study ................................................. 52 vi 3.1 Afrocentricity: The Theory of Social Change ............................................................. 53 3.2 African Centered Paradigm .......................................................................................... 57 3.3 Black Feminism/African Feminist Thoughts ............................................................ 60 3.4 The Anti-Colonial and Anti-Racist Theory ................................................................ 63 Chapter 4 Research Methodologies........................................................................................... 72 4 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 72 4.1 The Content Analysis .................................................................................................... 77 4.2 Africanist Historiography: Epistemological and pedagogical significances ......... 78 4.3 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 82 Chapter 5 Black Women‘s Leaders in Antiquity: A Case Study ........................................... 85 5 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 85 5.1 Queen Nefertiti (fl. c.1372-1350 B.C.) .......................................................................... 87 5.2 Queen Hatshepsut: The Woman King of Egypt ........................................................ 96 Chapter 6 ..................................................................................................................................... 102 6 Discussions and Conclusions ............................................................................................ 102 Bibliography ............................................................................................................................. 127 vii Chapter 1 Introduction 1 Background and Connection to the study Recent balance sheets on women‘s roles and participation in the affairs, especially in the political arenas in most African countries are worrying to say the least. Dr Mazrui, a professor of political science and the current director of the Institute of Global Cultural Studies at State University of New York in his article Africa and Women’s Empowerment stated: Until 2005 Africa