When We Ruled

Historian Paula Akpan highlights the rise and fall of 12 remarkable queens and female warriors from across African history.

About the event

In this absorbing narrative, Paula Akpan tells the stories of 12 powerful women who ruled vast swathes of the African continent at different stages of history. Their impact can still be felt today, and yet so few of us have ever heard their names.

Uncovering new truths and grappling with uncomfortable realities, Paula will take us on a journey into the worlds of these impressive female figures, revealing how they rose to power and came to influence the futures of their people.

With reigns spanning from pre-colonial Nigeria to the rich lands of Rwanda, and from Ancient Egypt to apartheid South Africa, these women shed new light on gender politics across these regions.

Additional information

This event is eligible for our 20% ticket bundle discount.

Book tickets to three or more different events across the festival and you can save 20%. Tickets must be purchased in the same transaction and the discount will automatically be applied within the basket.

About the speaker

Paula Akpan is a historian, writer and published essayist with an MA in Black British History. She has written for ‘Vogue’, ‘The Independent’, ‘Stylist’, ‘VICE’, ‘i-D’, ‘TimeOut London’ and more.