“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.” – Marcus Garvey.
Across generations, African women have been the backbone of cultural preservation. They are the custodians of oral traditions, language, rituals, and indigenous knowledge systems. Their role is deeply woven into storytelling, music, dance, fashion, food, spirituality, and community life, ensuring that heritage is not only remembered but lived.
1. Oral storytelling & historical preservation
Storytelling has long been the heartbeat of African heritage, passed down through matriarchal lines. Gcina Mhlophe, the celebrated South African storyteller and poet has worked tirelessly to keep oral traditions alive, reminding younger generations that history is best preserved through the spoken word. Her Nozincwadi Literacy Campaign merged traditional storytelling with education, emphasising the importance of language in preserving identity. In 2021, she published a book in braille to cement the importance of literacy in cultural preservation and accessibility for all.
2. Spiritual & ritual practices
Women have played crucial roles as sangomas, diviners, and priestesses, ensuring the continuation of spiritual traditions. Queen Muhumuza, a revered spiritual leader in Rwanda and Uganda, resisted the colonial erasure of indigenous faiths in the early 20th century. Today, it is mostly female spiritual leaders who are entrusted with roles to safeguard rituals such as ancestral veneration and rites of passage, keeping African spirituality intact despite modern influences.
3. Traditional fashion & textiles
African women have been instrumental in preserving textile traditions. Dr Esther Mahlangu revolutionised Ndebele art by bringing it to the global stage, painting murals that embody the intricate beadwork and patterns of her ancestors, all while using a feather. “To paint is in my heart and is in my blood,” she explains. By teaching younger generations through the Esther Mahlangu Art School, she ensures that these cultural markers remain part of Africa’s artistic landscape.
4. Food as a cultural heritage
Recipes carry history; they are how we share stories through generations. From the slow-cooked stews of West Africa to the fermented grains of the Horn, African women have passed down recipes that serve as cultural archives. Food is memory, a way that people stay connected with their ancestry. Meals like Jollof rice, Isijingi, and Injera are not just sustenance – they are historical imprints of migration, trade, and tradition.
5. Music & dance
Women have been central to preserving Southern Africa’s musical and dance traditions, ensuring that indigenous rhythms, instruments, and storytelling remain vibrant.
In South Africa, Miriam Makeba introduced Xhosa and Zulu folk traditions to the world, ensuring indigenous melodies and struggles were never forgotten. Madosini Latozi Mpahleni, a master of the uhadi and umrhubhe musical bows, safeguarded ancient Xhosa instruments, passing down knowledge to younger generations. Brenda Fassie, through township pop, modernised traditional sounds while keeping their roots intact, and Thandiswa Mazwai continues this legacy by blending indigenous languages and praise poetry into contemporary music.
Through their voices, instruments, and rhythms, they ensure that Africa’s musical heritage remains alive and evolving.
6. Language & Indigenous Knowledge Systems
Language is a crucial element of identity, and women have been at the forefront of its preservation. Katrina Esau, one of the last fluent speakers of the N|uu language, recognised the threat of linguistic extinction and established a school to teach the language to younger generations. “A language is more than words; it is the spirit of a people,” she says.
Similarly, scholars like Professor Nwando Achebe document the overlooked histories of African women, ensuring their stories are not erased. Her work on female leadership in Nigeria challenges Western historical narratives, proving that women have always held power in African societies.
Modern challenges & resilience
African women continue to find ways to preserve heritage – through digital archiving, art, literature, and activism. Through her literary works, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has reshaped African narratives, ensuring that the continent’s history is told by its own people. “Culture does not make people. People make culture. If it is true that the full humanity of women is not our culture, then we can and must make it our culture,” she writes. From oral historians to textile artists, spiritual leaders to culinary guardians, African women stand at the intersection of tradition and modernity. Their resilience ensures that culture is preserved and adapted for future generations.
