It is true that the African families tended to be matrilineal, in contrast to the European tradition. Since the beginning of time, African societies have been inherently matrilineal in orientation. Also, since hunting expeditions gave control of food production to men, European societies suppressed a matrilineal culture.
Corroborating this enduring social system that has defied the most impossible odds are the queens and powerful figures in their rights, such as the Rain Queen Modjaji, Queen Nerfetiti of Egypt, Queen Makeda of Ethiopia, Queen Candace Amanirena of Nubia, Queen Manthatisi of South Africa. The introduction of Islam, Christianity, and the colonial conquest which imposed patriarchal rule changed this socio-cultural construct.