Who Is Anta Majiguène Ndiaye- The Story Of A Senegalaise Princess
The little-known story of the African Princess – Anna Madjiguene kingsley born Anta Majiguène Ndiaye
Anta Madjiguène Ndiaye from Jolof has a rather special history. Born in 1793, she was the sister to Lat Codou Madjiguène Ndiaye (Bourba 1840), Birayambe Majiguène (became Bourba Jolof in 1850) and daughter of Bakar Cor Ndiaye). Anta Majiguène Ndiaye was captured and sold as a slave to Rufisque from where she embarked for Cuba via the island of Gorée following the violent raid of Damel Amary Ngonè Ndella of Cayor in 1806.
Upon arrival, she was immediately spotted by Zephaniah Kingsley, a slave trader from Europe who seem and own the land. Kingsley was attracted by the nobility, calm and dignity of Anta Majiguène Ndiaye, who was only thirteen (13) years old. Kingsley decided to take Anta Majiguène as his wife, and imagine that a Senegalese ceremony was held in honor of this Jolof girl. She gained the trust of her husband who eventually entrusted her with the management of one of their plantations after they immigrated to Florida in the USA. Considered a slave owner, Anta had a somewhat a typical way of dealing with her subjects. She considered them as employees and reserved a portion of their earnings. She loved to distribute food, which led her to build a special kitchen and was even nicknamed “Maam Anna”, her house “Mame Anna house”.
On the death of her husband Kingsley, she inherited a portion of the property, which her sister-in-law Martha could not conceive. Then followed a legal battle which was decided in favor of Anta Majiguene who was uneducated, but endowed with extraordinary intelligence and bravery that made her a historical figure in Jacksonville, Florida. She has contributed a lot to respect the property rights of blacks. She died in 1870. From this union with Kingsley, were born four (4) children. Kingsley Plantation is a historic place and museum located in Jacksonville. I remember this strong emotion that I felt when I went there. Anta Majiguène Ndiaye, as the testimony of a niece of Kingsley, testifies had a pretty complexion, a beautiful presence. She was imposing, and could not go unnoticed. She was very calm and her step attracted the eyes. A white woman who had become her friend, named Suzanne “The angle” was very impressed by Anta Majiguene and called her “the African princess”.
Also according to our research and investigations, his brothers Lat Codou and Birayambe Majiguène were very affected by the abduction of their sister. This is what motivated them to become Bourba to gather all the means to find her. Alas, the divine will decided otherwise. They never saw her. Anta Majiguène remains always the pride of his descendants here in the USA. Her little girl Bessie Coleman was the first black woman pilot in America.
Always, her great-granddaughter Jonhetta.b. Cole was also the first black woman President of “Spelman College” in Atlanta.
