Differential Gender Expression and the Life of Colonial Resistance Leader, Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba (1581-1663)
And Nzinga’s behavior “was not some personal idiosyncrasy but was based on beliefs that recognized gender as situational and symbolic as much as a personal, innate characteristic of the individual” ( Boy Wives and Female Husbands, 2). Effectively, as ngola, or “king,” Nzinga’s gender expression reflected that position in her society, and this was not unusual since gender was also seen as situational and symbolic.
So much about Nzinga is badass and generally interesting. I highly recommend reading the whole thing, and then if you're white and cis like me, spend some time thinking on how different things could be if our entire view on humanity wasn't based on the white, Western, cishet version that's been forced onto all of us because that's who won. By which I mean, that's who murdered and lied and cheated their way to the top for now.
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