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Majaji (c. 350 CE)
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Majaji was a Nubian Queen of the Lovedu tribe, a dependency and ally of the Kushite Empire, in what is now Sudan. She was described as an Amazon warrior, who led her people into battle against the Romans, who had been at war with Nubia and Kush off and on since the days of Augustus. Carrying a shield and spear, Majaji was killed while defending the capital city of Meroe against the Roman legions. Meroe fell to the Romans and Nubia was annexed as a Roman province. The remainder of the Kushite empire eventually fell to its neighbors to the south, Axum and Ethiopia. Roman chroniclers were impressed by Majaji's skill and bravery in battle. Their account is but one example of a long tradition of women warriors and warrior queens, many lesbian or bisexual, among the various tribes, kingdoms, and empires of Africa.
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