It is true that the African families
tended to be matrilineal, in contrast to the European tradition. Since the
beginning of time, African societies have been inherently matrilineal in
orientation. Also, since hunting
expeditions gave control of food production to men, European societies
suppressed a matrilineal culture.
Corroborating this enduring social system that has defied the
most impossible odds are the queens and powerful figures in their
rights, such as the Rain Queen Modjaji, Queen Nerfetiti of Egypt, Queen Makeda
of Ethiopia, Queen Candace Amanirena of Nubia, Queen Manthatisi of South
Africa. The introduction of Islam, Christianity, and the colonial
conquest which imposed patriarchal rule changed this socio-cultural construct.
