Um Kulsoum Abdulrahman

A Sudanese warrior queen who led anti-colonial resistance in the late 19th century

Um Kulsoum Abdulrahman (1830-1897) was a legendary warrior queen and political leader from Darfur region of Sudan. Known as 'The Lioness of Jebel Marra', she led the Fur people in a decade-long resistance against Egyptian-Ottoman colonial forces led by General Charles Gordon. Her strategic genius and military innovations, including the use of guerrilla tactics in mountainous terrain, delayed the colonization process significantly. She established a fortified stronghold at Jebel Marra that became a symbol of resistance. After her capture, her trial in Omdurman drew international attention, influencing later anti-colonial movements. Her legacy is commemorated in local oral traditions and recently recognized by UNESCO's Memory of the World register. Read more about her military strategies.