Headfirst Editor's Pick
"Bookhaus hosts historian Paula Akpan, whose debut When We Ruled uncovers the stories of powerful African queens and their vast reigns, still largely hidden from history. Akpan explores their leadership, love, and feuds – revealing a rich tapestry of matriarchal power, and how its influence remains today."
Join the Headfirst mailing list for our unbiased recommendations.
A event held at Bookhaus on Tuesday 14th October. The event starts at 18:00.
There are women who ruled vast swathes of the African continent. They led, loved and fought for their kingdoms and people and their impact can still be felt today. However, beyond the lands they called home, so few of us have heard their names.
From pre-colonial Nigeria to the rich plains of Rwanda, from the hills of Madagascar to apartheid South Africa, historian Akpan traces the lives of these powerful queens and takes you on a spellbinding, enrapturing and immersive journey that is nothing short of revelatory.
Beautifully researched and filled with fascinating stories of royalty, ancient civilisations, conquest and colonisation, When We Ruled is a gripping new history where women take centre stage.
Paula Akpan will be here to discuss this at with Heather Marks. Tickets cost £7 and include a glass of wine or a soft drink and £2 off the book. Presented by bookhaus.
Heather Marks is a visual artist and writer with a decolonial praxis in critical fabulation, employing the method as a form of archival repair in the (re)narration of Black Atlantic histories. Her debut film Fugitives in the Archive (Spike Island, 2024) blends archive material and movement to reimagine the lives of runaway enslaved people in Britain, and she is currently artist in residence at the National Portrait Gallery, exploring Global Majority sitters in 16th - mid 19th century portraiture in Britain. She also works across the creative sector as a producer and communications consultant, with organisations including the Stuart Hall Foundation, Words of Colour Productions, Southbank Centre, Hay Festival and Glasgow Film Theatre. Most recently, she directed the touring festival Conversations with Baldwin which celebrated the centenary of author-activist James Baldwin.
‘A searing, nourishing journey through a history the world needs’ – Bettany Hughes, bestselling author of The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
‘Please read it!’ – Philippa Gregory, bestselling author of Normal Women
‘Poetic and fierce’ – Olivette Otele, author of African Europeans
‘An exciting and rich work for anyone who is curious about African history’ – Paterson Joseph, author of The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho
‘A rich, sumptuous and beautifully written tapestry’ – Candice Carty-Williams, bestselling author of Queenie
‘A treasure trove’ – Bolu Babalola, bestselling author of Love in Colour and Honey & Spice
Entry requirements: no age restrictions
From pre-colonial Nigeria to the rich plains of Rwanda, from the hills of Madagascar to apartheid South Africa, historian Akpan traces the lives of these powerful queens and takes you on a spellbinding, enrapturing and immersive journey that is nothing short of revelatory.
Beautifully researched and filled with fascinating stories of royalty, ancient civilisations, conquest and colonisation, When We Ruled is a gripping new history where women take centre stage.
Paula Akpan will be here to discuss this at with Heather Marks. Tickets cost £7 and include a glass of wine or a soft drink and £2 off the book. Presented by bookhaus.
Heather Marks is a visual artist and writer with a decolonial praxis in critical fabulation, employing the method as a form of archival repair in the (re)narration of Black Atlantic histories. Her debut film Fugitives in the Archive (Spike Island, 2024) blends archive material and movement to reimagine the lives of runaway enslaved people in Britain, and she is currently artist in residence at the National Portrait Gallery, exploring Global Majority sitters in 16th - mid 19th century portraiture in Britain. She also works across the creative sector as a producer and communications consultant, with organisations including the Stuart Hall Foundation, Words of Colour Productions, Southbank Centre, Hay Festival and Glasgow Film Theatre. Most recently, she directed the touring festival Conversations with Baldwin which celebrated the centenary of author-activist James Baldwin.
‘A searing, nourishing journey through a history the world needs’ – Bettany Hughes, bestselling author of The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
‘Please read it!’ – Philippa Gregory, bestselling author of Normal Women
‘Poetic and fierce’ – Olivette Otele, author of African Europeans
‘An exciting and rich work for anyone who is curious about African history’ – Paterson Joseph, author of The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho
‘A rich, sumptuous and beautifully written tapestry’ – Candice Carty-Williams, bestselling author of Queenie
‘A treasure trove’ – Bolu Babalola, bestselling author of Love in Colour and Honey & Spice
Entry requirements: no age restrictions
Tickets for similar Bristol events.
