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This study of more than two thousand years of African social history weaves together evidence from historical linguistics, archaeology, comparative ethnography, oral tradition, and art history to challenge the assumptions that all African societies were patriarchal and that the status of women in precolonial Africa is beyond the scope of historical research. In East-Central Africa, women played key roles in technological and economic developments during the long precolonial period. Female political leaders were as common as male rulers, and women, especially mothers, were central to religious ceremonies and beliefs. These conclusions contribute a new and critical element to our understanding of Africa's precolonial history. Christine Saidi is assistant professor of history at Kutztown University.

Africa, Central -- History -- To 1884. --- Africa, Central -- Social life and customs. --- Africa, East -- History -- To 1886. --- Africa, East -- Social life and customs. --- Women -- Africa, Central -- History. --- Women -- Africa, East -- History. --- Women --- Gender & Ethnic Studies --- Social Sciences --- Gender Studies & Sexuality --- Human females --- Wimmin --- Woman --- Womon --- Womyn --- Females --- Human beings --- Femininity --- History --- Africa, Central --- Africa, East --- Africa, British East --- British East Africa --- East Africa --- Africa, Equatorial --- Central Africa --- Equatorial Africa --- Social life and customs. --- History. --- Women. --- Manners and customs. --- LITERARY CRITICISM --- SOCIAL SCIENCE --- Behavioral sciences --- Human sciences --- Sciences, Social --- Social science --- Social studies --- Civilization --- Criticism --- Evaluation of literature --- Literary criticism --- Literature --- Rhetoric --- Aesthetics --- Ceremonies --- Customs, Social --- Folkways --- Social customs --- Social life and customs --- Traditions --- Usages --- Ethnology --- Etiquette --- Rites and ceremonies --- African. --- Women's Studies. --- Technique --- Evaluation --- Africa, East. --- Central Africa. --- feminism.