International, part 8: Njinga vs. Colonizers

Njinga, aka Nzinga, aka Ana de Sousa was one of the longest-reigning and most consequential monarchs in history. She ruled over Ndongo and Matamba (near modern-day Angola) for thirty-seven years and is an icon for women over age 40, queer people, and anyone who loves a fashion moment and a grand entrance.

References:

Njinga of Angola: Africa’s Warrior Queen by Linda Heywood

Queer as Fact podcast queerasfact.com

It’s A Continent podcast itsacontinent.com

Excuse My African podcast excusemyafrican.com

The Humanity Archive podcast thehumanityarchive.com

longreads.com/2019/10/03/queens-of-infamy-njinga/

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International, part 6: Hürrem Sultan, Sultana Era

This is the second part of a two-part episode about Hürrem Sultan. It will make most sense if you listen to part one first! Hürrem Sultan, aka Haseki Sultan, aka Roxelana, was born around 1502 and was captured and sold into slavery as a young girl. She caught the attention of the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and wound up shattering all kinds of glass ceilings for women, the enslaved, and concubines as she ascended to become his Queen. 

As noted in the episode, this is a video from Bery Istantul Tips that includes Hürrem Sultan’s tomb: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQcHyHoZ9Ys&t=6s 

References: 

The Islamic History Podcast islamichistorypodcast.com/ 

The Ottoman History podcast ottomanhistorypodcast.com 

Ottoman Lives podcast historyonthenet.com/ottoman-lives 

Empress of the East: How A European Slave Girl Became Queen of the Ottoman Empire by Leslie Peirce

https://www.dailysabah.com/feature/2015/01/09/hurrem-sultan-a-beloved-wife-or-master-manipulator 

https://listverse.com/2018/06/06/10-little-known-facts-from-the-crimean-slave-trade/ 

https://magnificentcentury.fandom.com/wiki/Hurrem_Sultan 

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International history, part 4: Mexico’s Notorious La Malinche

Malintzin (aka Doña Marina, aka La Malinche) was born in Mexico around 1500. Twice sold into slavery, she found a way to use her multilingualism and skill at diplomacy to make her indispensable to newly-arrived Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés. In the aftermath of the Spanish conquest, Malintzin has been viewed alternately as victim, villain, seductress, folk legend, and myth. But who was the real person? 

References: 

Monstras podcast http://monstraspodcast.com/podcast/episode/4abc6788/la-malinche 

Fifth Sun: A new history of the Aztecs by Camilla Townsend 

Malintzin’s Choices: An Indian Woman in the Conquest of Mexico by Camilla Townsend 

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International history, part 3: The Muslim Pirate Queen of Morocco

This week’s internationàle destination is North Africa, by way of the Iberian Peninsula. Sayyida al-Hurra, who is known by that name even though it’s not actually her name (it’s all explained in the episode don’t worry), was a refugee from Granada who helped makeover a ruined city, then was named its governor, and also hung out with a very famous (alleged) pirate!!  

References: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sayyida_al_Hurra  

https://www.aramcoworld.com/Articles/January-2017/Malika-VI-Sayyida-Al-Hurra https://insidearabia.com/sayyida-al-hurra-governor-pirate-queen-and-trailblazer/  

Pirate Women: The Princesses, Prostitutes, and Privateers Who Ruled the Seven Seas by Laura Sook Duncombe  

A History of Islam in 21 Women by Hossein Kamaly 

The Forgotten Queens of Islam by Fatima Mernissi 

The Making of the Modern Mediterranean: Views from the South edited by Judith E. Tucker

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International history, part 2: The tragic tale of Pedro and Inês, Portugal’s doomed lovers

This week Vulgar History’s Internationale travels bring us to 14th century Portugal, where Inês de Castro (1325-1355) was kind of a big deal. Her charisma and cleverness were such that she made her way from lady in waiting to the Prince’s official mistress to the ZOMBIE QUEEN OF PORTUGAL. But you’ll have to listen to the episode to find out how that all happened. 

Make sure to take a look at instagram.com/vulgarhistorypod for pictures of the truly spectacular tombs mentioned in the episode!! 

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References: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In%C3%AAs_de_Castro 

http://www.theroyalarticles.com/articles/71/1/Ines-de-Castro-The-Queen-Who-Was-Crowned-After-Death/Page1.html 

https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/king-pedro-and-ines-de-castro/ 

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/stuff-you-missed-in-history-cl-21124503/episode/symhc-classics-ines-de-castro-and-89220558/ 

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International History (part 1): The Disabled Woman Who Ruled Ancient Kashmir

Welcome to season 5 of Vulgar History, where things are taking an internationàle flair, starting with this story from 10th century Kashmir! The saga of Rani Didda contains THREE coin minting moments, NUMEROUS mysterious deaths, and a new inductee to the Lady Jane Grey Memorial Award for Outstanding Supporting Performance.

Donate to Doctors Without Borders

References:

https://feminisminindia.com/2019/05/13/queen-didda-kashmir/

https://swarajyamag.com/magazine/didda-controversial-queen-of-kashmir

https://www.livehistoryindia.com/story/people/kashmirs-ruthless-queen-didda

https://kashmirblogs.wordpress.com/tag/diddakshema/

https://www.everyculture.com/South-Asia/Kshatriya.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDKC3rFrFhQ 

The Hindus: An Alternative History by Wendy Doniger

Early India from the Origins to AD 1300 by Romila Thapar

The Position of Women in Hindu Civilization by A.S. Altekar

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