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FReeper Canteen ~ Part III of Women Warriors: Middle East and North Africa ~ February 3, 2004
GenderGap.com ^ | February 3, 2004 | LaDivaLoca

Posted on 02/03/2004 3:07:38 AM PST by LaDivaLoca

Edited on 06/26/2004 10:56:39 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]

 
 
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Part III: Middle East and North Africa

(click on the graphics for links to additional information)


 
In Arabian culture, as well, women played an important role in battle. David E. Jones, in his book Women Warriors: A History. describes the role of the battle queen:
  • The emotional center of traditional Arab tribal warfare, the cult of the battle queen, derived from the earliest roots of Arabic culture, evolved through time, and still exists in the twentieth century…She formed the center of the cult, the members of which included ranking women of the tribe, who functioned to incite fiery patriotism, iron resolve, and battle fervor in male warriors…When the warriors were stirred to a frenzy, the battle queen mounted her camel and led them into battle. Sometimes this woman functioned merely as a ritual figure with little direct military purpose: a combination cheerleader, symbolic commander in chief, goddess, and living pinup. At other times, however, when not a weapon-wielding combatant, she served as a field general. The center of the battle was always occupied by the battle queen in her litter with her accompanying retinue. She acted as a visual and spiritual rallying point for her soldiers.

Among the more colorful of the Arabian battle queens were Hind al-Hunud and Khawlah Bint al-Kindiyyah. Hind al-Hunud fought the prophet Mohammed in battle in the seventh century A. D. Chroniclers of the fight describe her as “brandishing a broadsword with great gusto.” After victories, she reputedly stood atop her slain enemies and rhapsodized about her martial prowess. When her husband surrendered Mecca to Mohammed against her wishes, the Hind argued for his death for cowardice and treason.

Khawlah Bint al-Kindiyyah and her female captains were riding in front of an Arab army when they were confronted by a large Greek invasion force. The disciplined and highly organized Greek forces soon routed the Arab army. Khawlah and her captains, Alfra’Bint Ghifar al-Humayriah, Oserrah, and Wafeira, assumed control of the fleeing Arab forces and turned them back on the Greeks. When a Greek soldier knocked Khawlah to the ground and advanced for the kill, Wafeira severed his head with her sword and displayed it for all to see. The Arabs rallied and routed the Greeks

One historian who saw Khawlah in battle described her as a “tall knight muffled in black and fighting with ferocious courage.” She and her captains were eventually captured in battle near Damascus. Khawlah viewed their treatment by their captors as rude and roused her captains to escape. The women took on their Greek guards with tent poles and forced them to flee.

  • The improbability of a woman wielding a tent pole matching a Greek knight armed with a sword can be addressed by appealing to the training methods of the fighting systems of the Orient (kung fu, Kempo, karate, etc.). The staff (tent pole in this case) is generally the first and the last weapon taught. A Chinese kung fu master once remarked to the author, only half in jest, that in China one should most fear having to fight ‘some old person with a stick.’ Khawlah and her retinue were experienced warriors with the strength and know-how to control a camel in battle, fight with the sword and lance, and render a simple tent pole into a very effective weapon (Jones).

These are just two of the women representing a tradition dating back as far as 1700 B.C. While not all battle queens in Arabian history were as martial as these two, their very presence on the battlefield is unexpected. The very idea of Arab women as an integral part of warfare is astonishing when faced with modern stories of the restrictions placed upon women in the Middle East.

Zabibi and her successor Samsi reigned as Arabian warrior queens from approximately 740 to 720 BC. Both commanded armies containing large numbers of women.

Septima Zenobia governed Syria from about 250 to 275 AD. She led her armies on horseback wearing full armor and during Claudius' reign defeated the Roman legions so decisively that they retreated from much of Asia Minor. Arabia, Armenia and Persia allied themselves with her and she claimed dominion over Egypt by right of ancestry. Claudius' successor Aurelian sent his most experienced legions to conquer Zenobia but it took almost 4 years of battles and sieges before her capital city of Palmyra fell and Zenobia along with nine other martial queens of allied provinces were paraded through the streets of Rome in chains. Aurelian exiled Zenobia to Tibur. Her daughters married into influential Roman families and her line continued to be important in Roman politics for almost three centuries.



250ad Septima Zenobia - Zenobia (flourished 3rd century AD), queen of Palmyra, wife of King Odenathus, born in Palmyra (now Tadmor, Syria). Following the assassination of her husband, in which she is believed to have been implicated, Zenobia succeeded to power as regent for their young son. Within three years, she extended her rule to all of Syria, to Egypt, and to most of Asia Minor, ostensibly in alliance with Rome. In 271, however, because of Zenobia's aggressiveness in the East, the Roman emperor Lucius Domitius Aurelian took up arms against her. After gaining control of nearly all of Zenobia's domain, Aurelian besieged the city of Palmyra. It fell, and Zenobia was captured and taken to Rome. Later she was given an estate at Tibur (now Tivoli, Italy), where she spent the rest of her life in pensioned retirement. A beautiful and brilliant woman, Zenobia is remembered for her ruthless ambition.



Mavia, was Queen of the Bedouin Saracens from 370 to 380 AD.
Between 373 and 380 A.D. she led them into battles in Palestine, Phoenicia and Egypt. After confronting her in a battle in Phoenicia, a general of the Roman army requested assistance from the supreme commander of the eastern Roman army. Despite this, Mavia continued winning battle after battle until the Roman army retreated from her domain. The Romans remembered the effectiveness of her forces and when they were later attacked by Goths, they requested Mavia's assistance. She complied by sending a fleet of her cavalry. She led her troops in defeating a Roman army then made a favorable peace and married her daughter to the Roman commander in chief of the eastern Emperor Valens.

Kahula, an Arabian army commander in the battle of Yermonks (circa 600 AD) joined her forces with those of another female commander, Wafeira. Together they turned back the Greek army.

Salaym Bint Malham is described by Rosalind Miles as a war leader who, "with an armory of swords and daggers strapped round her pregnant belly fought in the ranks of Muhammad and his followers".

An 8th century religious leader, the Kahina, united the Byzantine and Berber forces against the invading Arab army. She maintained an independent Berber monarchy for many years before her death in battle against the Arabs.


Dehia's career began when she took charge of the Amazigh army after Koceila, who had battled and been victorious over the Muslim invading army led by Okba. According to several histories, Dehia may have taken over at a very advanced age. When she was still young, she had freed her people from a cruel and tyrannical local leader, whom she agreed to marry, then murdered on their wedding night. Her love life after this particular event is not known other than she gave birth to three sons, each probably fathered by different men.

Ibn Khaldoun states that she possessed the gift of prophecy and "never failed" to correctly foretell the future. Because of her gift, probably a result of her intelligence and persuasive manner, she became queen of her tribe, and later, of all the Imazighen of the region.

Dehia became the fiercest opponent of the invading Arab-led armies, but finally, realizing that her people were too weak to fight the invaders indefinitely, she decided that the only way to force them to leave was to give them no reason to want to stay. She had the countryside burned and sacked to impoverish the area and remove its beauty, thus making it undesirable. This decision did not affect her mountain people much, but the rest of the population was angry. She began to lose her power.

Instead of discouraging the Arab armies, her desperate decision hastened defeat. According to some accounts, she died fighting the invaders, sword in hand, a warrior's death (other accounts say she committed suicide rather than be taken by the enemy). This was around 693 AD, when she was, according to ancient accounts quoted by Ibn Khaldoun, "127 years old." This was probably not meant literally. Great age was often depicted with exaggerated numbers, as is also found in the Torah (Old Testament to the Christians). Legend also has it that she was beautiful and passionate to the end.

a modern Berber woman in a traditional headdress

Next Tuesday Part IV of Women Warriors:
Africa



TOPICS: Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: middleeast; northafrica; womenwarriors
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub; Kathy in Alaska; LindaSOG; MoJo2001; tomkow6; Bethbg79; bentfeather; ...




A good morning to my fellow Canteeners,
our Military, Veterans, Allies and your families






Have a wonderful day!



See you all later.


2 posted on 02/03/2004 3:08:28 AM PST by LaDivaLoca (There can be no triumph w/o loss, no victory w/o suffering, no freedom w/o sacrifice. THANK U TROOPS)
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To: LaDivaLoca
Good morning Diva.


3 posted on 02/03/2004 3:18:14 AM PST by Aeronaut (In my humble opinion, the new expression for backing down from a fight should be called 'frenching')
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To: LaDivaLoca; Kathy in Alaska; MoJo2001; LindaSOG; Fawnn; Bethbg79; bentfeather; Ragtime Cowgirl; ...
Click on the pic and I'll guide you
to the start of today's thread




FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT
Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.
CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREAD.



4 posted on 02/03/2004 3:38:56 AM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Thank You Troops, Past and Present)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
G'morning, my friend, and Good Morning to our brave men and women in uniform! God bless every one of them.
5 posted on 02/03/2004 3:40:44 AM PST by JohnHuang2
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To: The Sailor; thumperusn; Long Cut; Old Sarge; USAF_TSgt; davidosborne; where's_the_Outrage?; ...

6 posted on 02/03/2004 3:41:39 AM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Thank You Troops, Past and Present)
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To: LaDivaLoca
Good morning, LaDivaLoca.(HUGS)How's it going?

And a very pleasant good morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all ouf our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your continued service to our country.

It's primary election day here In Oklahoma and 7 other state. If your state is one of them, be sure to get and vote.

7 posted on 02/03/2004 3:41:54 AM PST by E.G.C.
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To: JohnHuang2
Good Morning oh King of Ping!
8 posted on 02/03/2004 3:43:25 AM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Thank You Troops, Past and Present)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Good morning, Tonk. How's it going?
9 posted on 02/03/2004 3:43:43 AM PST by E.G.C.
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To: E.G.C.
Good Morning E.G.C.
Thanks for the get out to vote reminder!
10 posted on 02/03/2004 3:44:36 AM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Thank You Troops, Past and Present)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
:-)
11 posted on 02/03/2004 3:47:38 AM PST by JohnHuang2
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To: Kathy in Alaska; MoJo2001; LindaSOG; LaDivaLoca; bentfeather; beachn4fun; Ragtime Cowgirl; ...
From the men in the Military and the Canteen


12 posted on 02/03/2004 3:49:44 AM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Good Morning Ladies!)
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To: All
Will You help keep the Candle Lit for our service men and women?
Can you spare a few moments today to either
e-mail them or learn about sending packages to them?
Many of them are away from home for the 1st time.
PLEASE Click on the graphic and help cheer them up.
You will stay right where you are on this thread while you write them.
Thank You
Postmaster
FR Canteen Post Office



13 posted on 02/03/2004 3:53:02 AM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Have you said Thank You to a service man or woman today?)
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To: All
To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.


To our military readers, we remain steadfast in keeping the Canteen doors open.
The FR Canteen is Free Republics longest running daily thread specifically designed
to provide entertainment and morale support for the military.

The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.

We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.


FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT
Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.
CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREAD.



14 posted on 02/03/2004 3:56:22 AM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Have you said Thank You to a service man or woman today?)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl; All

15 posted on 02/03/2004 3:58:11 AM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Thank You Troops, Past and Present)
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To: TEXOKIE; All
CLICK HERE for Troop Prayer Thread 9

Thank You TEXOKIE
16 posted on 02/03/2004 4:00:38 AM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Please Protect our troops and our Allies troops)
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To: LaDivaLoca
Thank You for today's thread!
I'll be gone tonight when you get back.
I'll be at the monthly Coast Guard Auxiliary meeting.
17 posted on 02/03/2004 4:03:24 AM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (LaDivaLoca Rocks)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. —Psalm 139:14


The wrinkles on a time-worn face
Can be symbols of God's grace,
If through our laughter and our tears
His love has freed us from our fears

When you let God's love fill your heart, it will show on your face

18 posted on 02/03/2004 4:28:50 AM PST by The Mayor (Be steadfast, immovable, . . . knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.)
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Comment #19 Removed by Moderator

To: LaDivaLoca; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; Kathy in Alaska; tomkow6; MoJo2001; bentfeather; ...

GOOD MORNING DIVA. Thanks Diva for an interesting topic. Gentlemen, take note! LOL........GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. GOOD MORNING TO OUR

MILITARY and our allies. Thank you for all you do.

Sorry, but I have to depart now. Other dragons to slay. But, I will be lurking in the shadows today. Everyone have a wonderful day.

BTW, temps around here have warmed up enough for some of that frozen snow to start melting. Can see parts of my yard now!


20 posted on 02/03/2004 4:34:03 AM PST by beachn4fun (Warning to our Southern cousins......the Dems are headed your way.....vote Republican in '04.)
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