This got me thinking about some of the interesting women from Southeast Asian history and folklore. It's by no means exhaustive but these are the ones that came to mind off the top of my head
QUEENS OF PATTANI
The kingdom of Patani in southern Thailand saw its most illustrious era during the tenure of the colourfully-named queens Kuning (yellow), Biru (blue), Ungu (purple) and Ijau (green). There's even a movie based on them
The kingdom of Patani in southern Thailand saw its most illustrious era during the tenure of the colourfully-named queens Kuning (yellow), Biru (blue), Ungu (purple) and Ijau (green). There's even a movie based on them
The four queens were outstanding diplomats, quelling a violent conflict involving Japanese merchants. Marriage and military alliances helped to stave off threats. Under their rule, Malay-Muslim art and culture flourished, facilitating the spread of Islam
TO AYO
Born a Bugis slave, To Ayo married the prince of Jambi, who later married two Makassar noblewomen. The two new wives bullied To Ayo like Cinderella's step-sisters. But after the prince's death, the three wives together turned Jambi into a wealthy independent state
Born a Bugis slave, To Ayo married the prince of Jambi, who later married two Makassar noblewomen. The two new wives bullied To Ayo like Cinderella's step-sisters. But after the prince's death, the three wives together turned Jambi into a wealthy independent state
CHE SITI WAN KEMBANG
Warrior-queen of Kelantan, which was a small kingdom when she inherited the throne, yet it was under her that the state became the centre of batik and songket weaving in the peninsula. She intentionally never married so she wouldn't have to share power
Warrior-queen of Kelantan, which was a small kingdom when she inherited the throne, yet it was under her that the state became the centre of batik and songket weaving in the peninsula. She intentionally never married so she wouldn't have to share power
PUTERI SAADONG
Adopted daughter of Che Siri, Saadong was taken by the king of Siam just a few years into her reign. When she returned only to find that her husband married another, she stabbed him to death. In another version she herself is killed, but brought back to life
Adopted daughter of Che Siri, Saadong was taken by the king of Siam just a few years into her reign. When she returned only to find that her husband married another, she stabbed him to death. In another version she herself is killed, but brought back to life
TRUNG SISTERS
Trung Trac and Trung Nhi were daughters of a prefect in northern Vietnam, brought up learning martial arts and military strategy. They rebelled against Chinese rule, amassing an army of 80,000 which included over 60 female commanders
Trung Trac and Trung Nhi were daughters of a prefect in northern Vietnam, brought up learning martial arts and military strategy. They rebelled against Chinese rule, amassing an army of 80,000 which included over 60 female commanders
The Trung sisters remained a symbol of Vietnamese pride and independence. After their defeat, their troops are sometimes said to have fled Vietnam. The Minangkabau are believed by some to be partly descended from the Trung sisters' army
BA TRIEU
A couple centuries after the Trung sisters, another woman lead a rebellion against the Chinese, an elephant-riding warrior called Lady Trieu. Unlike the Trung sisters, the Chinese didn't seem to think much of Lady Trieu, but in Vietnam she's still revered as a folk hero
A couple centuries after the Trung sisters, another woman lead a rebellion against the Chinese, an elephant-riding warrior called Lady Trieu. Unlike the Trung sisters, the Chinese didn't seem to think much of Lady Trieu, but in Vietnam she's still revered as a folk hero
GAYATRI & GITARJA
Gayatri Rajapatni was the wife of Jayanegara who founded Majapahit. An influential figure in local politics, she appointed her daughter Dyah Gitarja as the next ruler. Gitarja lead the army herself, putting down several rebellions and expanding the empire
Gayatri Rajapatni was the wife of Jayanegara who founded Majapahit. An influential figure in local politics, she appointed her daughter Dyah Gitarja as the next ruler. Gitarja lead the army herself, putting down several rebellions and expanding the empire
KAEW NA MA
Her name meaning "horse-face Kaew", she was treated poorly because of her horse-like face, yet she took on every unfair challenge. Not to mention she was a pro with a knife, and in fact gave birth during a battle
Her name meaning "horse-face Kaew", she was treated poorly because of her horse-like face, yet she took on every unfair challenge. Not to mention she was a pro with a knife, and in fact gave birth during a battle
RATNA KALI NYAMAT
A princess of Demak, Kali Nyamat rose to prominence after her father's death, when both her brother & then her husband were killed. She performed austerities on Mt. Danaraja before moving against a political rival, turning Jepara into an independent city-state
A princess of Demak, Kali Nyamat rose to prominence after her father's death, when both her brother & then her husband were killed. She performed austerities on Mt. Danaraja before moving against a political rival, turning Jepara into an independent city-state
URDUJA
Known only from the writings of Ibn Battuta, Urduja was a warrior princess from Tawalisi, somewhere in Southeast Asia. She was a polyglot, and her army included many female fighters. Her identity is debated, but she's most often considered a heroine of the Philippines
Known only from the writings of Ibn Battuta, Urduja was a warrior princess from Tawalisi, somewhere in Southeast Asia. She was a polyglot, and her army included many female fighters. Her identity is debated, but she's most often considered a heroine of the Philippines
BUI THI XUAN
A general of Vietnam's peasant militia, the Tay Son rebels who fought against the corrupt ruling class. A skilled martial artist and elephant trainer, she was ironically trampled by an elephant after her forces were defeated. Streets & schools bear her name
A general of Vietnam's peasant militia, the Tay Son rebels who fought against the corrupt ruling class. A skilled martial artist and elephant trainer, she was ironically trampled by an elephant after her forces were defeated. Streets & schools bear her name
KEUMALAHAYATI
An admiral from Aceh who commanded a unit of widows whose husbands were killed in naval battles with the Portuguese & Dutch. Her troops grew in number and she successfully defended the local trade routes, winning several major battles
An admiral from Aceh who commanded a unit of widows whose husbands were killed in naval battles with the Portuguese & Dutch. Her troops grew in number and she successfully defended the local trade routes, winning several major battles
SHI DANIANG
A Chinese Muslim who lived in an era when Palembang had become a base for Chinese seafarers and pirates. She travelled to Java and became a harbour master (syahbandar). You may know her by one of her Javanese titles like Nyai Gede Pinatih
A Chinese Muslim who lived in an era when Palembang had become a base for Chinese seafarers and pirates. She travelled to Java and became a harbour master (syahbandar). You may know her by one of her Javanese titles like Nyai Gede Pinatih
Shi Daniang was a Muslim minority at a time when Islam hadn't yet become as dominant as it is now. She was instrumental in spreading the faith, as the son she adopted and taught was Sunan Giri, one of the Wali Songo
Finally, special mention should go to the Indonesian freedom fighters Cut Meutia, Cut Nya Dhien, and Nyi Ageng Serang. They weren't as well-armed as the Dutch so they relied on guerilla tactics, often using local blades like the rencong. Now that takes guts
The most embarassing of accidental mixups is when you end up writing a word or name other than what you meant. The founder of Majapahit and husband of Gayatri was Raden Wijaya (aka Kertajasa Jayawardhana), not Jayanegara
