Fatuma binti Yusuf al-Alawi facts for kids

Fatuma binti Yusuf al-Alawi (born around 1650, died 1715) was a powerful queen. She ruled the island of Unguja, which is part of modern-day Tanzania. This was before the Sultanate of Zanzibar was formed.

Queen Fatuma supported the Portuguese during their war against Oman. She even sent supplies to help them during the Siege of Fort Jesus. However, she was captured when Oman took over Zanzibar. She was sent away to Oman. In 1709, she was allowed to return. She then ruled Unguja as a "client state" of Oman. This means she was in charge, but Oman had the final say. She ruled this way for the rest of her life.

Queen Fatuma's Life

Fatuma binti Yusuf al-Alawi, also known as Fatima, was born around 1650. Her family was called Sayyid, which means they were believed to be descendants of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Her ancestors came from Hadhramaut, a region in Yemen. She also said her family had Persian roots.

Early Life and Family

Fatuma was the daughter of King Yusuf of Zanzibar. Her father's land, Unguja, was divided into two parts. Her brother, Bakari bin Yusuf, ruled the southern part from Kizimkazi. Fatuma ruled the northern part. Her capital was where Zanzibar City is today.

Fatuma married her cousin, Abdullah. He was the King of the Utondwe. This was a Swahili kingdom on the African coast, across from Zanzibar. They had a son named Hasan.

Ruling During Change

Queen Fatuma ruled during a time of big changes in East Africa. The Portuguese were losing their power, and Oman was becoming very strong. Fatuma chose to stay loyal to the Portuguese.

She tried to send food and supplies to Fort Jesus in Mombasa, Kenya. This fort was under attack by Omani forces in a long siege from 1696 to 1698. The three ships (called dhows) she sent were captured and burned by the Omanis. Some stories say she even sent ships to fight the Omani navy. It is also said that Fatuma traveled to Portuguese Goa (in India) to ask for more soldiers to help the fort.

Capture and Exile

After the Omanis won the war, they attacked Zanzibar. They destroyed the Portuguese settlement there. They then built the Old Fort of Zanzibar where a Portuguese chapel and a merchant's house used to be.

Fatuma and her son, Hasan, were taken prisoner. They were sent away to live in Oman.

Return to Power

In 1709, Fatuma and Hasan were allowed to come back to Zanzibar. Fatuma ruled Unguja again. But this time, she ruled as a "client state" of Oman. This meant Oman had control over her kingdom.

Her palace was located where the House of Wonders (a famous building in Zanzibar City) stands today. The Omanis kept a close eye on her. They even aimed one of the cannons from the Old Fort at her palace. This was to make sure she followed their rules. It also stopped her from talking to the Portuguese in Mozambique.

Fatuma passed away in 1715. She was buried in a family burial ground just south of the Old Fort. Her son, Hasan, became the ruler after her. Hasan's son, who was Fatuma's grandson, was the last independent ruler of Zanzibar before Oman fully took over.