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Saturday, May 11, 2024

Meet Ahebi: The Sex Worker Who Became First Female King in Colonial Nigeria Through Attah Igala's Influence

Meet Ahebi: The Sex Worker Who Became First Female King in Colonial Nigeria Through Attah Igala's Influence

Ahebi Ugbabe, born in Enugu-Ezike, an Igbo community in the late 19th century, passed away in 1948 after holding the title of king (eze) and warrant chief of her community. 

Born by Anekwu Ameh, a farmer and trader of possible Igala origin, to Ugbabe Ayibi, a farmer and palm wine tapper father in Umuida, Enugu-Ezike, Ahebi fled her community to Igalaland to avoid a marriage ordained by her father's sins.

During her exile, Ahebi turned to commercial sex work, leveraging her connections with powerful men like the ruler of Igala and British colonial officials. 

Fluent in Igala, Nupe, and Pidgin English, she returned to Igboland after her exile and assumed leadership in Enugu-Ezike, aided by the Attah of Igala whose influence covers northern Igboland.

Her ascension disrupted gendered politics in her culture. 

Suspicious of her society's treatment of her even in death, Ahebi conducted her own burial rites two years prior to her passing.

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