10 of the most powerful female characters in African Literature

Happy International Women's day!

I have observed that the concept of feminism is alien and not encouraged in African literature as many African women writers and critics tend to deny any affiliation to the feminist movement, even though their writings espouse feminist aspirations.

One huge reason for this is, Feminism is often been interpreted as being anti-male, anti-culture and anti-religion in its theoretical framework.

However, if you are in need of feisty, funny, beautiful, brave, soulful, and clever women from African literature who have won the hearts of readers, here are some attractive women from your favorite books that would make you fall in love with yourself.

1. Ramatoulaye fromSo Long a Letter by Mariam Ba:

If you love women who champion causes people would rather not be bothered about, here is Ramatoulaye your badass feminist. The society is unfair to you? Ramatoulaye understands and she is ready to champion your gender struggles.

2. Akunna fromBride Price by Buchi Emecheta:

How important are community values and community support as opposed to individual values and free will?

Aku-nna's fragility and intelligence in dealing with her traditions and trying to overcome them is what you need right now in your life.

3. Ifemelu from Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie:

She is educated, liberal, and her passion for social justice mainly manifests itself in a desire to talk a lot about what’s wrong with the world. You want a woman who would be a female version of Martin Luther King, here she is! she would definitely help you figure out your own identity and how you can stand out perfectly without hassle.

4. Efuru fromEfuru by Flora Nwapa

Efuru is intelligent, successful, beautiful and respected, but despite the fact that she was deserted by two ordinary undistinguished husbands, she remains a wonderfully strong and vibrant woman.

If your partner is maltreating you, Efuru concludes you are better off without them.

5. Tambudzai fromNervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga

Are you scared of choosing between speaking for yourself or surrendering to societal expectations?Growing up female in a patriarchal society is tough, and thankfully Tambu understands the yearnings of young women to be free of the constraints of backward ideologies.

Tambu inspires us all to create a different existence for ourselves rather than what is expected of us as an African girl.

6. Enitan Taiwo fromEverything Good Will Come by Sefi Atta

A fiercely intelligent, strong young woman coming of age in a culture that still insists on feminine submission, Enitan understand your frustrations as an educated, middle class citizen of a culture that had infuriating double standards for women in legal, political, familial, and professional contexts.

Although she is frequently argumentative without being productive, Enitan still teaches us that we can fight odd and senseless political systems without necessarily sacrificing love and friendship.

7. Abie from Ancestor Stones by Aminatta Forna

Abie's relationship with other women would make you realize that for feminism to make sense, women have to support each other. These sisters living through turbulent times in Sierra Leone, and the lessons they learn and the strength they find as individuals would help you form a formidable bond with other women.

8. Morayo from by Yejide Kilanko:

Spirited and intelligent, Morayo is that brave woman you have been waiting for all your life. Despite being sexually assaulted at a very young age, she overcomes the feelings of despair, guilt and lack of self-respect and discovers that she can find happiness.

9. Shiri Shungu (Amai Zenzele) fromZenzele: A Letter for My Daughter by J. Nozipo Maraire

Badass women soldiers are rare. But thankfully from Shiri Shungu (Amai Zenzele)'s letter to her daughter, we found out that Africa has had her share of women who pioneered change during political upheaval.

Shiri Shungu's letter to her daughter is all of us, she tells us even if we find ourselves in America, we should not lose our roots, culture, values our family and village have instilled in us

Shiri has seen what happens when Africans abandon their traditions for a Western life. She wants us all to cherish our heritage and never forget it.

10. Esi Sekyi fromChanges: A Love Story by Ama Ata Aidoo,

Professional women struggling to find contentment in a society that retains traditional, conservative expectations about women’s roles would find succor and relief in Esi Sekyi's story.

From surviving rape from her husband, polygamy and later falling in love, Ese's story is a reassessment of the idea that if you were a woman in love, must you give up everything for your beloved?

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