Queen Amina of Zaria

‘Amina, daughter of Nikatau, a woman as capable as a man.’

Queen Amina (also known as Queen Aminatu),was the oldest daughter of Queen Bakwa Turunku, the founder of the Zazzau Kingdom in 1536. Queen Amina was the heir to the throne after her mother, and her reign began in 1549.  This medieval African kingdom was located in the region now known as the Kaduna State in Nigeria, capital at the modern city of Zaria, which is named after Queen Amina's sister, Zaria. (Queen Amina of Zazzau: A West African Warrior Queen, Black History Heroes) 

Many people have referred to Queen Amina as the warrior queen. She became the first female queen in her society that was otherwise predominately male. She was a hero to the people of Hausa, when she played a key role in expanding the borders of Africa for this territory. She was able to do this with her desire to be a leader and her extensive military training. Queen Amina was the black sheep of her family and decided to take a different route as leader compared to her parents. During her father's reign, he remained peaceful and did not engage is violence, which was unexpected for a male in power, even in today's society. Queen Amina on the other hand, spent many years before her reign crafting her military skills with the Zazzau Calvary. During this time, she earned respect as a military leader and a force to reckoned with. (Queen Amina of Zaria, African Feminist Forum)

A statue of Queen Amina

The following excerpt was taken from an online article written about Queen Amina to show her significance as a woman warrior and what she accomplished during her reign. "Queen Amina is a legend among the Hausa people for her military exploits. She controlled the trade routes in the region, erecting a network of commerce within the great earthen walls that surrounded Hausa cities within her dominion. According to the Kano Chronicle, she conquered as far as Nupe and Kwarafa, ruling for 34 years." (Queen Amina of Zazzau: A West African Warrior Queen, Black History Heroes) 

Queen Amina was very influential to the people of Hausa and created a lasting legacy for the people who live there. The following except from an online article depicts how Queen Amina left a legacy that is still standing today. "Amina is also credited as the architect of the strong earthen walls around the city, which became the prototype for the fortifications used in all Hausa states. She built many of these fortifications, later known as ganuwar Amina or ‘Amina’s walls’, around many cities she conquered during her reign.. Many of these walls remain in existence to this day." (Queen Amina of Zaria, African Feminist Forum) 

Ganuwar Amina

Queen Amina was a very early example of a woman warrior. She fought gender stereotypes early on, in a different century, before they were even a topic to be debated. She chose to be a leader who took physical action and engage in violence, which was and still is unexpected for a woman. She reminds me very much of the Disney princess we recently discussed in class, Mulan. She is a realistic version of Mulan and was an inspiring female warrior in combat, just like Mulan was in a fictional sense. Queen Amina was dedicated to serving her people and did not let the fact that she was a woman, and was not well respected, stop her from doing so. 

A video for further research on Queen Amina

Works Cited

“Queen Amina of Zazzau: A West African Warrior Queen.” Black History Heroes,        www.blackhistoryheroes.com/2013/07/queen-amina-of-zaira-west-african.html.

“Queen Amina of Zaria.” African Feminist Forum, 25 Mar. 2016, www.africanfeministforum.com/queen-amina-of-zaria-nigeria/.