Here’s a list of some interesting African historical figures to make a movie or series about. A thread: https://twitter.com/kofilawz/status/1273215324633137153

Shango, Yoruba Orisha of Lightning, Power, and Fire. Weilder of a double headed axe, and the third ruler of the Oyo Empire.

The Princess Yennenga, the mother of the Mossi people of Burkina Faso.

Nzinga Mbade, the queen of the Ambundu kingdoms, who is regarded as one of Africa’s greatest women leaders. She fought off European influcence and colonialism outstandingly during her life.

The life of Sonni Ali, ruler of the Songhai empire. This is particularly interesting imo bc there are two wildly different accounts of this man’s life, and I think it’ll make interesting source material for a movie or series.

Queen Amina, a Hausa conqueror from Zaria, currently located in Nigeria. Her story was whitewashed and told in the form of an American series called Xena: Warrior Princess.

Queen Taytu Betul, an Ethiopian empress who led her people to victory against Italy’s colonisation in the battle of Adwoa.

King Idris Alooma, one of the greatest kings of Nigeria, hailing from the Kanuri peoples on his fathers side, and the Bulala from his mothers. He ruled the kingdom of Bornu, reformed administration on almost all levels, established relations w the Ottoman Empire, & strengthened-

the Islamic faith in his kingdom. He was described as a military innovator, and a diplomatic genius who settled conflicts and ushered his kingdom into an era of great prosperity.

I’m sure most people know the story of Yaa Asantewaa, warrior if the Asante people of Ghana, and I almost didn’t add it bc it’s very repetitively told, but I do feel as though there’s a not a retelling of the story in the media that does it the justice it deserves.

SHAKA KASENZANGAKHONA!!! But more popularly known as Shaka Zulu. This guy is a guy!!! Leader of the Zulu kingdom, he’s known for telling Europeans who told him he would burn in hell fire that “On this land, we eat fire.” His life, from beginning to his unfortunate assassination -

Can be used to tell such an amazing, multifaceted story.

Oranyan. He was the youngest son of Oduduwa, the father of all Yoruba people. Despite being the last born, he was the heir to the throne. Oranyan was the founder of the Oyo Empire, and in his life, navigated through many political turmoils such as a Cold War, traps to have him-

Killed, etc. There are many intriguing elements to his life. He was believed to be of two fathers, one being Oduduwa and the other being Ogun, Orisha of iron and metalsmithing. Thus, he had a two tone complexion, with half his body being dark skinned and the other half lightskin.

Kimpa Vita. Her story is very politically and religiously loaded and complex to unpack. She was a prophet, and religious leader who saved her home, the Kingdom of the Kongo, from falling apart after the moral corruption of the leaders of the kingdom at the hands of Portuguese.

She used Christianity, which was being used by the Portuguese to have their way, and reclaimed it entirely in order to put a stop to the practice of slavery in the region. Extremely worthy of its own series.

I’m a bit too tired to continue . But this list is really nowhere near exhaustive. There are 3000+ distinct cultures on the continent, with their own histories and stories to tell. I tried to pick from across the continent, but be free to add more and correct any mistakes.