Ugbabe, who was the first and last king of Enugu-Ezike, ruled her people for 30 years until her death in 1948 at the age of 68 years.
King Ahebi Ugbabe could speak Igbo, Igala, Nupe, and Pidgin English. Thus, she held court cases in her palace while making money from the services. Women who had also been abused by their husbands escaped to Ugbabe’s palace, and she became their female husband.
Ahebi Ugbabe married wives for herself...by paying their bride price. She then looked for men who had interc#urse with these wives and claimed the paternity of the children they bore. She assumed the role of a man and named the children after herself.
With the fear that her people might not accord her a rightful burial, Ahebi Ugbabe performed her own funeral rites in 1946, two years before her death.
Classic African History
King Ahebi Ugbabe could speak Igbo, Igala, Nupe, and Pidgin English. Thus, she held court cases in her palace while making money from the services. Women who had also been abused by their husbands escaped to Ugbabe’s palace, and she became their female husband.
Ahebi Ugbabe married wives for herself...by paying their bride price. She then looked for men who had interc#urse with these wives and claimed the paternity of the children they bore. She assumed the role of a man and named the children after herself.
With the fear that her people might not accord her a rightful burial, Ahebi Ugbabe performed her own funeral rites in 1946, two years before her death.
Classic African History
There's something about prostitutes I can't just explain. Remember the prostitute that saved someone in the Bible. I think her name is Rahab or so.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget Christ came from the chronological of a prostitute.
Interesting and funny story though.
© TEEJAY
Okay. And your point is?
DeleteThis king was a prostitute?
DeleteWhaaaaaat?
ReplyDeleteThis blog is everything. Never heard of this story before in my life . Woman as a king in Igboland ? Interesting.
ReplyDeleteWow very interesting.
ReplyDeleteHa!
ReplyDeleteThe woman siri ike na mmadu o🤣🤣🤣🤣
Gifty
Hmm what a life.
ReplyDeleteInteresting....
ReplyDeleteI never heard of her, so happy to read this story. Reminds me of the one I read here on SDK Blog, about the successful female pirate back in those times. Such stories are even more incredible when you think of the level of patriarchy practiced then. A time when women hardly had any rights on their own, apart from their men, then you hear of these female outliers. Truly remarkable.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is so interesting
ReplyDeleteNow, that is a feminist!! Brava!!
ReplyDeleteHow interesting!
ReplyDeleteI was hoping to read more about the prostitution side.How did they know that she was a prostitute?was it before she became king? did it bring her the kingship?
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteIgbo Female Prostitute that became King in Igbo Land
Very interesting wow
Make I ask my mother
She dey Enugu now
Interesting
ReplyDeleteWhat did I just read? Something like this happened as far back as those days? Interesting
ReplyDeleteNice, interesting. She was a strong woman.
ReplyDeleteNice one
ReplyDeleteInteresting
Define Prostitute? Sounds like detractors talking behind her back
ReplyDelete