history of ancient Egypt

history of ancient Egypt

The first-mentioned ancient African warrior was found in the history of ancient Egypt, where most of them become pharaohs and also some worshiping them as a goddess. This includes famous warriors and pharos like Tutankhamun (King Tut) Thutmose III, sometimes refers as the Napoleon of Egypt as well as the famous Xerxes I. who was known for his incessant attacks on the neighboring communities. And the first perpetrator of civilization and trade in Egypt

In east Africa warriors like Koitalel Arap Samoei of Nandi, MeKatilili Wa Menza, (mother of colonial resistance), Mbatian the Masai Moran, and the kabakas’ of  Uganda.  Were among the noted East African warriors who arose as a result of fighting colonialism and defending their communities from external invasions, leading to current independence east African countries.

The Ahmed Baba (Abu al-Abass Ahmed al Takrui) was the prominent Songhai empire warrior in West Africa, who ruled more than three-quarters of West Africa. Baba was known as a warrior, scholar, medieval West African writer, and a political provocateur. He is acknowledged as one of the leaders who led to the introduction of civilization in West Africa. Other warriors like Behanzin Hossu Bowelle (King Shark), known for his turf decisions and resistance against colonization in West Africa, where his soldiers overpowered the French army in 1890 and British army who wanted to take his colony.

From southern Africa, Cetshwayo Kampande (Cetawayo) Zulu warrior, led the entire southern African community during the Zulu war when British troops under Lieutenant General Frederic Augustus invaded Zululand. Similarly to his predecessor Sigidika Senzangakhona  (Shaka Zulu), who led Nguni chiefdoms (Zulu kingdoms) against the British. Shaka Zulu and Cetawayo are credited with creating a fighting force that devastated the entire southern African region.

The king Pianky of Kushi Nubia, currently Sudan, was also the 18^th-century prominent warrior who escalated from a small leader to a supreme warrior conquering entire ancient Egypt.  Together with Hannibal of Carthage, who is credited for his daring leadership actions towards fighting imperialism and westernization of his kingdom African societies.

Despite male warriors, Africans also had many diehard female warriors who stood against imperialism, intercommunity attacks. As well as leading their societies in raiding, acquiring territories as well as defending the community wellbeing; Among them include Zenobia of Palmyrene Empire, and Seh-Dong-Hong-Beh, who was the leader of the ‘women-only military’ regiment in the Kingdom of Dahomey or the “The Dahomey Amazons.” These women soldiers fought with swords, spears, and bows against their enemy society as well as Europeans who wanted to colonize their kingdoms. Besides, these were the most ruthless and skilled warriors ever recorded in African female warriors. Other African great female warriors include Queen Aminatu, Hausa warrior, Makeda, (Queen of Sheba from Ethiopia) known for his courageous battles with the serpent king Awre.

Some of the significant thing that made these warriors great was the result of imperialism powers in Africa. Making many African societies to organize themselves into kingdoms under warrior leaderships to fight colonization. Although some of the warriors emerged before coming of imperialism, it should be noted that all warriors’ main intention was to defend their community’s territories and wealth from other enemy communities.

The militia backgrounds in many communities inspired them to have warriors who helped to fight, conquering, and creating more territories to establish their Kingdoms as it was a sign of superiority and respect for those days. For example, the Nubian people in The Kush Kingdom became so prosperous and powerful after conquering Egypt, which had ailing dynasties due to internal disputes — enabling them to defeat and resistance of the Arab Caliphate since the fighting had become part of their tradition.

These warriors mainly used traditional weapons like wooden clubs (Rungus), Knives, Axes, Swords, daggers, blunt staves, spears, polearms with ax-like blades or spikes, hammers, spears, javelins, throwing sticks, bowl, and arrows. Although later, during imperialism and intercontinental trade, many of them were able to acquire guns.

Consequently, these warriors led to the introduction of current education, peace, facilities, better security, new products, skills, improved standards of infrastructure, and living standards in contemporary Africa. An instance, some warriors collaborated with imperialist’s leading to the construction of support such as railways, schools, hospital factories, and many more.

Also, as a result of these warriors’ revolts, it led to present independent African countries, an amplified rate of civilization compared to past centuries. More so, many of the warriors succeeded in enhancing their kingdoms to current countries like Lesotho, Mali, and Uganda, and many more.

From ancient times many Africans believed that warriors had mystic (supernatural) powers, or they are extraordinary creatures. They believed that they had the capacity to fight multiple enemies without being shot or hurt, while some even ended up being treasured and referred to as gods and goddesses. An instance, the Koitalel Arap Samoei of Nandi, who used to prophesy to his community and Shaka kaSenzangakhona Zulu, whom the community believed to have resurrected. Besides, other warriors like Sonni Ali of “The Great,” Songhai, Empire of Timbucktoo, and Ann Nzingha of Matamba and Ndongo kingdoms the community were believed to be the next to god. While the truth is, they were ordinary people who depicted intrepid decisions when serving their societies despite the situation.