Thursday 9 October 2014

Madam Yoko, a Mende Chief, Sierra Leone

img559

“Madam Yoko or Mammy Yoko (ca. 1849–1906) was a leader of the Mende people in Sierra Leone. Combining advantageous lineage, shrewd marriage choices and the power afforded her from the secret Sande society, Yoko became a leader of considerable influence. She expanded the Mende Kingdom and at the time of her death, she was the ruler of the vast Kpa Mende Confederacy.” Source: Wikipedia

img560

Vintage postcards, circa 1900, author’s collection.

No comments:

Post a Comment