Sarraounia
Encyclopedia
Sarraounia was a Queen of the Africa
n Azna people, who ruled in a region of Western Africa during the late 19th century.
She was ruler of an animist group of Eastern Hausa. Queen Sarraounia of the Azna
s fought the French colonial troops in 1899. While some kingdoms readily collaborated with the French in the hope of finally subduing her and her kingdom, and others capitulated without a fight, she mobilized her people and resources to confront the French forces of the Voulet–Chanoine Mission, which launched a fierce attack on her fortress capital of Lougou
.
Overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the French, she and her fighters retreated tactically from the fortress, and engaged the attackers in a protracted guerrilla battle which eventually forced the French to abandon their project of subduing her.
Sarraounia means Queen or chiefess, and among the Azna people of Lougou and surrounding Hausa towns and villages, the term refers to a lineage of female rulers who exercised both political and religious power. The 1986 film Sarraounia
is a retelling of her struggle against Voulet and Chanoine's troops.
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n Azna people, who ruled in a region of Western Africa during the late 19th century.
She was ruler of an animist group of Eastern Hausa. Queen Sarraounia of the Azna
Azna
Azna is a city in and capital of Azna County, Lorestan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 37,645, in 9,178 families.Azna is located in the Zagros Mountains.It currently serves as a refuge camp for the Faili Kurds....
s fought the French colonial troops in 1899. While some kingdoms readily collaborated with the French in the hope of finally subduing her and her kingdom, and others capitulated without a fight, she mobilized her people and resources to confront the French forces of the Voulet–Chanoine Mission, which launched a fierce attack on her fortress capital of Lougou
Battle of Lougou
The French Voulet-Chanoine Mission, led by the captains Paul Voulet and Julien Chanoine, had been dispatched in 1898 to Africa by the French government with the mission to conquer the territories between the Niger River and Lake Chad and join in uniting French territories in West Africa...
.
Overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the French, she and her fighters retreated tactically from the fortress, and engaged the attackers in a protracted guerrilla battle which eventually forced the French to abandon their project of subduing her.
Sarraounia means Queen or chiefess, and among the Azna people of Lougou and surrounding Hausa towns and villages, the term refers to a lineage of female rulers who exercised both political and religious power. The 1986 film Sarraounia
Sarraounia (film)
Sarraounia is a 1986 historical drama film written and directed by Med Hondo. It is based on a novel of the same name by Nigerien author Abdoulaye Mamani, who co-wrote the screenplay. The novel and film concern the real-life Battle of Lougou between Azna queen Sarraounia and the advancing French...
is a retelling of her struggle against Voulet and Chanoine's troops.
Source
- "Battle of LougouBattle of LougouThe French Voulet-Chanoine Mission, led by the captains Paul Voulet and Julien Chanoine, had been dispatched in 1898 to Africa by the French government with the mission to conquer the territories between the Niger River and Lake Chad and join in uniting French territories in West Africa...
" - "Film Screening of "Sarraounia" URL accessed 10/30/06