Africa’s rich and diverse history complicates any sweeping generalizations about gender roles. While many assume that pre-colonial African societies were uniformly patriarchal, the reality is far more nuanced. Some societies were rigidly male-dominated, while others had surprisingly egalitarian structures—or even matriarchal elements. The question, then, is not whether Africa was entirely one or the other, but rather how different societies balanced power between genders—and what that means for modern African gender dynamics.

Patriarchy in African Societies

There is no denying that many African societies were patriarchal, with men dominating political, economic, and familial structures. The Zulu Kingdom, for instance, was highly militarized, with men controlling warfare, governance, and cattle ownership—key markers of wealth and power. Similarly, the Maasai of East Africa maintained a strict patriarchal order where women were excluded from decision-making and primarily valued for domestic and reproductive roles.

In North Africa, Islamic influence reinforced male-dominated structures, particularly in governance and family law. Even in West Africa, powerful kingdoms like the Yoruba and Hausa-Fulani had male rulers, with women largely confined to domestic and market-based economic roles.

These patriarchal systems were often reinforced by colonial powers, who preferred dealing with male leaders, further entrenching gender hierarchies.

Egalitarian and Matriarchal Exceptions

However, Africa also had societies where women wielded significant power, sometimes even surpassing European gender norms of the same era.

• The Igbo Dual-Sex System: Among the Igbo of Nigeria, women had their own political institutions, such as the Omu (female counterpart to the king) and the Umuada (daughters of the lineage who settled disputes). The famous Aba Women’s War of 1929 demonstrated how Igbo women organized collectively to resist colonial taxation, proving their political agency.
• Akan Matrilineal Inheritance: The Akan people of Ghana traced lineage and inheritance through the mother’s line. While men still held many political offices, women controlled property and played key roles in selecting leaders.
• The Mosuo of East Africa: Though not as widely known, the Mosuo in modern-day China (with cultural links to Africa) practiced a matrilineal system where women headed households and property passed through the female line.

These examples show that Africa was not a monolith—some societies allowed women far more autonomy than others.

The Impact of Colonialism and Modern Gender Dynamics

Colonialism disrupted many of these systems, imposing European gender norms that often sidelined women. Missionaries, for example, condemned matrilineal traditions, while colonial administrators ignored female leaders, dealing only with men. Post-independence, many African nations retained these patriarchal structures, making it harder for women to reclaim traditional roles in governance.

Yet, traces of Africa’s more egalitarian past remain. In modern Rwanda, women hold over 60% of parliamentary seats—the highest in the world—partly due to post-genocide reforms but also because pre-colonial Rwandan culture allowed female leadership. In Ghana, matrilineal Akan traditions still influence inheritance laws, giving women economic leverage.

Conclusion: A Complex Legacy

African societies were neither wholly patriarchal nor entirely egalitarian—they existed on a spectrum. While male dominance was common, many cultures had checks and balances that gave women political, economic, and social influence. The real tragedy is that colonialism and modernization often erased these nuances, leaving behind a distorted view of Africa’s gender history.

Today, as African feminists push for equality, they are not just fighting Western-imposed norms but also reclaiming indigenous traditions where women once held power. Recognizing this history is crucial—not to romanticize the past, but to prove that gender equity is not a foreign concept to Africa. It was here all along, in many of its societies, waiting to be revived.