Ngalifourou

Ngalifourou (1864–1956) was a queen of the Teke in the Congo. She married the king at age 15 as his second wife. In 1879 she became the king's main wife and reigned with him, and she ascended the throne after his death. As expected by tradition, she married the kings who succeeded to Mbé, the capital of the kingdom, but did not lose her power. She was sovereign and guardian of the army, and sent soldiers to help the French fight the Nazis in Africa after speaking with Charles de Gaulle; she was given military decorations, including the Legion of Honour.