Pre - Colonial African Gender Behavioral Flexibility And The Psyche Of Womanhood In Culture And Millitary Dexterity

Abstract

In   Africa  before the advent  of   white  men and subsequent colonization of  African   Kingdoms and the imposition of  new orientations of colonial masters ,  Africa had their own  unique   way of  life ,   culture  and way  of  doing  things.  This   reflected in the culture and language   of   the  people and the attendant  behavioral dispositions   of   the  people.   These  dispositions  were inclusive  of  gender perceptions  and its relatedness.   There was no  societal  fixation as to particular exploits that women  could or could not make. As  it  were, the societies were gender  neutral.  There were therefore women who rose in different kingdoms  and societies to make military exploits and exploits in governance amongst others  that reflected   the psychological  and behavioral disposition  of the people and societies.

      This paper brings to fore,   gender disposition as reflected in the culture ,  politics , governance amongst  other societal activities.  The paper further argues that the slave trade across the continent notwithstanding,  the inherent behavioral tendencies of the people as regards gender  manifested itself among the slaves taken to the new world such as the Americas, which found women being in the forefront of militant agitations and actions not only to free slaves but for  race  equality with the others in the new societies. And further concluded that the new call for gender equality in societies, Africa inclusive , was what was operational in Africa before colonialism ,  shoving   Africa to   retrogression in gender equality advancement as one of the major impact of  European colonization.  

Key Words: Androgyny,  Gender,  Behavioral,  Flexibility,  Dexterity , Social Order.