The story of Queen Amina of Zaria.
Queen Amina, was a warrior Queen of the Zaria Emirate, which is in modern day Nigeria 🇳🇬 — At a time when men dominated most aspects of life, Amina the Queen of Zazzau emerged. A skillful Hausa warrior, she commanded a vast army which conquered many territories and greatly expanded her kingdom.
African feminist ancestors. Commonly known as the warrior Queen, Queen Amina of Zaria was the first woman to become the Sarauniya (Queen) in a male-dominated society. She was also known as the warrior Queen, and she was the first Woman who ruled an African kingdom for over 30 years in the 16th century. One of the greatest warriors ever to emerge from Africa 🌍 in the 16th century was Queen Amina of Zazzau. Queen Amina was a legendary and eager warrior, and as a child her grandmother found her wielding a dagger ⚔ as nimbly as any warrior. During her reign, she commanded the construction of a defensive mural around each military camp that she established. Later, those camps evolved into prosperous cities within those walls, and some can still be seen today in northern Nigeria. Those cities are known as walls ‘ganuwar of Amina’ or ‘Amina’s walls‘. It is believed that Amina died in the town of Altagara in1610. Today, Amina is remembered in Nigeria as ‘Amina, rana de Yar Bakwa ta San’ (Amina, daughter of Nikatau, woman as capable as a man). The introduction of kola nuts into the region is often attributed to Amina. Amina is celebrated across the Hausa land as a great warrior queen who was born to rule, and led thousands of soldiers to war. Her statue is currently present at the center of Lagos.
African feminist ancestors. Commonly known as the warrior Queen, Queen Amina of Zaria was the first woman to become the Sarauniya (Queen) in a male-dominated society. She was also known as the warrior Queen, and she was the first Woman who ruled an African kingdom for over 30 years in the 16th century. One of the greatest warriors ever to emerge from Africa 🌍 in the 16th century was Queen Amina of Zazzau. Queen Amina was a legendary and eager warrior, and as a child her grandmother found her wielding a dagger ⚔ as nimbly as any warrior. During her reign, she commanded the construction of a defensive mural around each military camp that she established. Later, those camps evolved into prosperous cities within those walls, and some can still be seen today in northern Nigeria. Those cities are known as walls ‘ganuwar of Amina’ or ‘Amina’s walls‘. It is believed that Amina died in the town of Altagara in1610. Today, Amina is remembered in Nigeria as ‘Amina, rana de Yar Bakwa ta San’ (Amina, daughter of Nikatau, woman as capable as a man). The introduction of kola nuts into the region is often attributed to Amina. Amina is celebrated across the Hausa land as a great warrior queen who was born to rule, and led thousands of soldiers to war. Her statue is currently present at the center of Lagos.
