Madam Yoko

Madam Yoko or Mammy Yoko (ca. 1849–1906^[1]) 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.^[1][2] She expanded the Mende Kingdom and at the time of her death, she was the ruler of the vast Kpa Mende Confederacy.^[3][4]

Biography

Madam Yoko, originally called Soma, was born around 1849 in the Gbo Chiefdom.^[2][5] She changed her name to Yoko at her Sande initiation ceremony, during which time she became known for her graceful dancing.^[2] Yoko's first marriage, which was unsuccessful, was to a man named Gongoima.^[5][6] After leaving Gongoima, Yoko's second husband was Gbenjei, Chief of Taiama. Although Yoko remained childless, Gbenjei made her his head wife, giving her economic power within her household.^[6][7]

Following Gbenjei's death, Yoko married Gbanya Lango. In 1875, Gbanya was detained by British colonial officials in Taiamawaro.^[2] Yoko went directly to Governor Rowe to appeal for her husband's release.^[2] Rowe was impressed with Yoko's appeal and Gbanya was flogged, and then released.^[2] Following this incident, Gbanya made Yoko his head wife and began sending her on diplomatic missions.^[6] With the Sande, Yoko was able to wield significant power, not only amongst women, but Mende society as a whole.^[8] As a leader in this secret women's society, she made political alliances and took younger initiates as "wards" — later marrying them into other lineages.^[2] In 1878, following her third husband's death, Yoko became the chief of Senehun.^[9] By 1884 she was officially recognised as "Queen of Senehun".^[7] This recognition came not only from her own people, but also from the British.^[1] She died in 1906, rumoured to have committed suicide.^[7] Having no descendants of her own, she was succeeded by her brother Lamboi.^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Sheldon, Kathleen E. (2005). Historical dictionary of women in Sub-Saharan Africa. Scarecrow Press. pp. 272. ISBN 0810853310. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=36BViNOAu3sC. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} Rosaldo, Michelle Zimbalist; Louise Lamphere, Joan Bamberger (1974). Woman, culture, and society. Stanford University Press. pp. 177. ISBN 0804708517. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=vE85zkFdURQC. 
3. ^ Kolawole, Mary Ebun Modupe (1997). Womanism and African consciousness. Africa World Press. pp. 46. ISBN 0865435413. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=9T_Yt3WAizkC. 
4. ^ Olmstead, Judith V. (1997). Woman between two worlds. University of Illinois Press. pp. 228. ISBN 0252065875. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=m7RaZDo9XmIC. 
5. ^ ^{a b} "Sierra Leonean Heroes". Sierra Leone Web. http://www.sierra-leone.org/heroes5.html. Retrieved 2009-06-07. ^{[dead link]}
6. ^ ^{a b c} Skard, Torild (2003). Continent of mothers, continent of hope. Zed Books. pp. 168. ISBN 1842771078. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=ihj9I75l5CoC. 
7. ^ ^{a b c} Uglow, Jennifer S. (1999). The Northeastern dictionary of women's biography. UPNE. pp. 592. ISBN 155553421X. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=zlQKDvU1WV0C. 
8. ^ Cornwall, Andrea (2005). Readings in gender in Africa. James Currey Publishers. pp. 23. ISBN 0852558716. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=9QQxk_a5yBcC. 
9. ^ Olsen, Kirstin (1994). Chronology of women's history. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 145. ISBN 0313288038. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=jFY3CxmHk4cC. 

Persondata
Name	Yoko, Madam
Alternative names	Yoko, Mammy
Short description	Sierra Leonean leader
Date of birth	1849
Place of birth
Date of death	1906
Place of death