MA_LI: According to one of Africa’s wisdom keepers and holy man Vusamazulu Credo , ancient Africa was a matriarchal land. Land that was ruled by powerful woman. Matriarchs ruled most of the lands in the north of Africa.. They were of the people called Ma Li – meaning birthing mother. These woman rode the great oceans from boats made from woven reeds. They sailed the great seas from Africa to America and also to China. . this is why so many American cities are named after African women.