Nana Asma'u
Scholar, Teacher, & Reformer

Vocabulary:

• Discouraged:  to lose hope, to feel like giving up
• Isolate: to separate someone or something from others
• Sheik/Shehu: an Islamic leader
  
• Sisterhood: a group of women working in unity

Nana Asma'u was the daughter of Sheik Uthman dan Fodio, a great Islamic reformer. She was born in Nigeria in 1793. Nana Asma'u grew up to be a scholar, poet, author, teacher, and political advisor.

During Nana Asma'u's lifetime, many men did not allow their women to go to school. They believed women and girls should stay in their homes. Thankfully, the Sheik understood that everyone has a right to knowledge. He educated all of his children. Nana Asma'u knew four different languages and memorized the entire Holy Quran! She began teaching in her community, but many women could not come to her. Our sister was not discouraged. If a woman's parents or husband could not teach her well, Nana Asma'u wisely taught her in her home. She trained many other women as teachers. This sisterhood allowed many isolated women to receive an education.

Have you noticed that there is always a solution for every problem? What is one problem you can solve?

Interesting Facts:

• Several books have been written about Nana Asma'u.
• More than 60 of her written works still exist for us to learn from.
  

Critical Thinking:

What is a woman's role?
Why is it important to educate women?
What happens to society when women are foolish?
What are the benefits of women being taught by women?