Dancer and event planner, Funke Kuti, ex-wife of Afrobeat star Femi Kuti, has paid homage to Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Queen Amina Of Zazzau and other “notable, strong women who ruled, led, and challenged authorities for positive reforms in Nigeria”.
To celebrate their legacies and impacts, Funke posed for a photo shoot dressed as these women, wearing traditional outfits that represent their tribes.
The dancer who shared a video from the photo shoot on Instagram on Wednesday also listed the names of the women and their historic achievements.
She wrote: “Celebrating some very Notable , Strong women who Ruled, Led, and Challenged Authorities for positive reforms in Nigeria. Nigerian women have a lot of Beautiful and Educative stories from our diverse tribes. Our women have always been strong, outspoken, nurturing. defenders, warriors, activists, but we don’t hear much about them.”
“In order of appearance ..Efik Maiden An Embodiment Of Beauty. Queen Idia Iyoba of the old Benin Kingdom: Queen Mother, Great Healer, Possessed spiritual powers.
“Princess Nnete Okorie-Egbe: Leader of the Aba Women’s riot in 1929. Fought against colonial taxation and won.
“Princess Moremi Ajasoro: Most Beautiful Queen. Heroine Of Youruba Land. Led her people to victory against the Ibos. Efik Maiden B: Bold and Rich in Culture. Fulani Maiden: The Pearl of the North. Hard working & Beautiful.
“Queen Amina Of Zazzau: Powerful Ruler, fierce warrior, conqueror Of kingdoms.
“Queen Lúwo Gbàgìdá: First and only female Ooni of Ife. An Architect who only walked on marbled floors. A disciplinarian who was just to her people.
“Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti: Freedom fighter, first woman to drive a car in Nigeria. Mother of the Legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
“Hajiya Gambo Sawaba: Women rights activist, politician and philanthropist. Fought against Male dominance in the North.”
Funke was also celebrated by her son Made Kuti, Kate Henshaw, Erica Nlewedim, Mercy Aigbe and Victoria Inyama.
Made is the only son of the marriage between Femi and Funke Kuti.
The ex-couple remain inseparable despite ceasing to be husband and wife many years ago.
