She felt there are many things men cannot do on earth, but women can do anything.
SIDAMA, Ethiopia - Queen Furra, referred to as the medieval queen (Nigist) of the Sidama region in Ethiopia. According to some legends, she was born around the fourteenth or fifteenth century in Yirgalem town in Sidama region of Ethiopia. She was the eldest child in her family and spent most of her childhood competing with men. Then she married a powerful chief, known for his great power, Ahmad b.Ibrahaim al-Gazi (Gragn, known as Diingamo Koyya among the Sidama), later the Queen Furra was also accused of killing him.
Furra then took power, after her father, an honorable clan leader passed away, she was made queen because she was the eldest daughter and remain so for about seven years during the 14th or 15th century. She was known to encourage women and to be extremely harsh to men, a certain looking type of man (bald, short and old men), oppressing them. This caused the men to wish death upon her, as they sung in outrage;
"During Furra's reign Men ground and cooked for women Let her die, let her die!"
Still popular amongst today's oral culture, Queen Furra teachings are still being followed. She taught women how to behave, advised them in how a woman should interact with men; not submit, to act shy it keeps men guessing and the importance of personal hygiene because men are attracted to beauty.
When Queen Furra established a women's army, her action were very clear. She had no intention to make life easy for men. Making her commends was very difficult to obey and would punish any man who would disobey them. Her orders include fetching water through a sieve, and fetching fresh milk from the village, which takes two hours to travel. On one occasion, she gathered the men and ordered them to build a house for her with lack of resources and in unreasonable conditions.
The level of cruelty became a concern, men started to worried and flee. Some believed the men fled to an old man sitting in a cave to ask for guidance. The old man said, "lay the foundation stone, because the queen is the one who lays the foundation stone.", by stating this, he is simply telling these men to start acting like men and take charge.
Queen Fura, known as the Queen of Women was also the cause of death of many men. Tragically lost her life, setup by the men she punished, leaving the many women to sing in sympathy;
"Sleep, sleep my children Sleep, sleep my children You're my best child For they killed the best Furra, you're the leader of woman!"
A civilized woman who made women aware of their rights. She presided over a matriarchal administration and was styled the "Queen of the Women" (mentu biilo) rather than "Queen of Sidama" due to her partisanship for women.
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