Paula Akpan is a writer committed to historicising Black life in all its formations.

WHEN WE RULED: The Rise and Fall of Twelve African Queens and Warriors

Paula Akpan’s debut book is out now in the UK published by Trapeze, and in the US published by Pegasus Books.

Full of interesting contemporary interviews and travel writing, and beautifully reconstructed retellings of the royal histories – The Times Literary Supplement

Poetic and fierce, this volume is a compelling modern-day journey into past histories of impressive African queens and leaders.
― Olivette Otele, author of AFRICAN EUROPEANS

An empowering and insightful seminal work of historical significance. Akpan has written a groundbreakingly brilliant book to fill a significant gap in African history and I am grateful for it.
― Lọlá Ákínmádé, author of IN EVERY MIRROR SHE’S BLACK and EVERYTHING IS NOT ENOUGH

An extraordinary book – this tells more than a hidden history of Africa, more than queens and women leaders forgotten by history, this tells of women as they were as we are and as we can be. PLEASE read it!
― Philippa Gregory, author of NORMAL WOMEN and THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL

A rich, sumptuous and beautifully written tapestry of the past that makes my heart soar and ache all at once; this is the history we should have learned in schools. I can’t imagine the person I’d be today if I’d known that this is where we came from.
― Candice Carty-Williams, author of QUEENIE and PEOPLE PERSON

Fell in love with the way WHEN WE RULED look at history creatively. Obsessed, so clever.
― Travis Alabanza, author of NONE OF THE ABOVE

A beautiful and thought-provoking archive of history… written in such a brilliant narrative structure, the stories were vibrant and alive.
― STYLIST

Discover the reigns of twelve African queens and warriors from across the continent in this immersive and pioneering history.

Njinga a Mbande. Nana Yaa Asantewaa. Makobo Modjadji VI. Ranavalona the First.

These queens and warriors ruled vast swathes of the African continent, where they led, loved, and fought for their kingdoms and people. Their impact can still be felt today, and yet, beyond the lands they called home, so few of us have ever heard their names.

In When We Ruled, historian Paula Akpan takes us into the worlds of these powerful figures, following their stories and how they came to rule and influence the futures of their people. Through deep research and discovery, Akpan will uncover new truths and grapple with uncomfortable realities, allowing us to be immersed in countless moments of bravery, intrigue, and, for some, the unraveling of their rule.

With reigns spanning from pre-colonial Nigeria to the rich lands of Rwanda, and from Ancient Egypt to apartheid South Africa, these rulers shed new light on gender politics in these regions, showing how women were celebrated and revered before colonizing powers took hold, and continued to be long after.

In this game-changing narrative of twelve lives, Akpan takes us on a spellbinding, enrapturing, and immersive history that is nothing short of revelatory.

Akpan has crafted vivid and engaging narratives that expertly shed light on the different histories found within the continent.
― ALL ABOUT HISTORY

When We Ruled is an elevation of Black women to a sky-high level. We’re truly blessed to have a historian of her merit in our midst, particularly at a time like this.
― Kuchenga Shenjé, author of THE LIBRARY THIEF

Complicated and pulsing with the voices of historians, storytellers, archivists and memory-holders Akpan communed with during her time on the continent, WHEN WE RULED has love and care poured into every single page.
― Dr. Jade Bentil, author of forthcoming REBEL CITIZEN

A treasure trove.
― Bolu Babalola, author of LOVE IN COLOUR and HONEY & SPICE

This book is vital and brilliant. A searing, nourishing journey through a history the world needs.
― Bettany Hughes, author of THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD

An exciting and rich work for anyone who is curious about African history and how those traditions were destroyed, manipulated but ultimately survive in one form or another. Paula Akpan is plowing a furrow that many will gratefully follow in the future.
― Paterson Joseph, author of THE SECRET DIARIES OF CHARLES IGNATIUS SANCHO