Nana Asmaʼu

Nana Asmaʼu (Nana Uwar daje)
Personal life
Born1793
Died1864 (aged 7071)
Sokoto Caliphate
NationalityNigerian
RegionWest Africa
Main interest(s)Poetry, women's education, social protection, women's rights
Other namesNana Uwar daje Nana Asmaʼu bint Shehu Usman dan Fodiyo
OccupationIslamic scholar, Humanitarian Services, entrepreneur
Religious life
ReligionIslam
DenominationSunni
JurisprudenceMaliki
TariqaQadiriyyah
CreedAsh'ari
Muslim leader
Influenced by
Influenced

Nana Asmaʾu (pronunciation; full name: Asmaʾu bint Shehu Usman dan Fodiyo pronunciation, Arabic: نانا أسماء بنت عثمان فودي; 1793–1864) was a Fula princess, poet, teacher, and a daughter of the founder of the Sokoto Caliphate, Usman dan Fodio. She remains a revered figure in northern Nigeria. She is held up by some as an example of education and independence of women possible under Islam, and by others as a precursor to modern feminism in Africa.