History That's More Than 2-Dimensional.

Collection: Dancers

Anacaona (c.1474-1503)

Poet Queen of Haiti

When Columbus and his crew ravaged her land, this native Haitian poet gave all to keep the peace.

Mekatilili wa Menza (c.1860-c.1925)

The widow who beat the British through ecstatic dance

When colonial powers went too far, she rebelled in the most stylish way possible: dancing from town to town. It was surprisingly effective.

Marjana (Arabian myth)

The Slave Girl Who Killed Ali Baba's Forty Thieves

The actual hero of the Ali Baba myth, this slave girl saves the titular character by singlehandedly dispatching the forty thieves - without him even knowing.

Josephine Baker (1906-1975)

Queen of the Stage

Rose from dire poverty and violence to become the greatest black entertainer of all time - Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Angelina Jolie all rolled into one.

Mata Hari (1876-1917)

The Double Agent Who Wasn't

This amateur dancer escaped a life of abuse by pretending to be an Indonesian princess - and eventually became a victim of the maniacal world of espionage.

Nwanyeruwa (Early 20th century)

Instigator (and Peacekeeper) of the Igbo Women's War

Instigated a massive "women's war" against British taxation, the effect of which was one part protest movement, one part comedy roast, and one part block party.