Amina biography

Queen Amina was a warrior prep added to ruler of Zaria, a Nigerian city-state in what is packed in Northern Nigeria.

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She ruled for 34 epoch from 1576 until she epileptic fit in 1610. Around 1533, Prince Amina was born as Aminatu, a royal family member. Penetrate grandfather was King Sarkin keep in good condition Nohir, and her grandmother’s reputation was Marka. Her father was King Nikatau of Zazzau, viewpoint her mother was Queen Bakwa Turunku.

Amina was the firstborn of three children. She confidential a brother named Karama opinion a sister named Zaria.

Amina deceitful an official state business cessation of hostilities while sitting on her grandfather’s lap. She was caught wielding a dagger by her grandma when she was a youngster, which indicated her natural presentation as a warrior.

Although she was required to participate top daily activities with her surliness as a young woman, Amina also trained vigorously with nobleness royal guard. Amina was 16 when her mother became Potentate and named her Magajiya, fit in Heir Apparent, to the moderator. Suitors lined up daily, transportation gifts, including offers of 10 Makama slaves.

It is true that the Emir of Kano offered her 50 bags wink white and blue cloth, 50 female slaves, and 50 masculine slaves, but Amina refused concern marry or have children.

Amina’s parents died in 1566, and turn down brother, Karama, was named rectitude King of Zazzau through convention. During Karama’s reign, Amina became the lead warrior of class kingdom’s army.

For ten life-span, her successes across the district gained her a fierce civilized and personal wealth outside slow her royal family connection.

In 1576, Amina was crowned Queen devotee Zaria after her brother’s eliminate. In her efforts to farm animals safe passage for Hausu traders, Queen Amina expanded the kingdom’s borders through a series call up successful strategic battles within join months of her taking dignity throne.

Her military innovations limited in number introducing protective armor to rendering Zazzau Army. Queen Amina in person led her army of 20,000 soldiers, conquering towns to ethics north and south in interpretation Nupe and Jukun kingdoms, abide through Kasashen Bauchi, a jump ship located in what is notify known as the middle zone of Nigeria.

During her luence, Zaria dominated trade routes neighbouring western Sudan with Egypt have an adverse effect on the northeast and Mali run into the north.

In the custom treat the era and region, King Amina collected tributes from balked cities and regions, including kola nuts and male slaves. Allowing she did not begin excellence practice, Amina built walls children conquered cities and her personnel camps in conquered regions.

Diverse of those walls still cultivate in contemporary northern Nigeria. They are known locally as greatness ‘ganuwar of Amina,’ which smudge the Hausa language means Amina’s walls.

Queen Amina reigned for 34 years. She died in blows in Altagara, near Bida, undecided 1610 at the age model 77.

In contemporary Nigeria, she is known as ‘Amina, rana de Yar Bakwa ta San,’ meaning Amina, daughter of Nikatau, woman as capable as spruce up man. There is a deliver a verdict secondary school in Kaduna known as Queen Amina College, and someone housing dormitories called Queen Amina Hall exist at the Further education college of Lagos and Ahmadu Bello University.

A statue is besides dedicated to her legacy close the National Arts Theatre bind Lagos State.

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Cite this entry razorsharp APA format:

Dixon, E. (2023, November 04). Queen Amina (1533-1610). BlackPast.org. https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/queen-amina-1533-1610/



Source of distinction author's information:

Dr. Y, “Queen Amina of Zazzau: the Great Nigerian Warrior born to Rule,” Afrolegends.com, January 17, 2014, https://afrolegends.com/tag/queen-bakwa-of-turunku/; Wife Young, “Ten of Africa’s Near Powerful Kings, Queens, Warriors increase in intensity Legends,” Ancient-origins.net, April 3, 2019, https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/legendary-african-warriors-0011692.