Queen amina also known as queen aminatu, was the elder daughter of queen bakwa turunku, the founder of the zazzau kingdom in 1536. Amina was born around 1533 in zaria, a province of todays nigeria. With the title came responsibility for a ward in the city where she convened daily councils with other officials. All kings are known as sarkins but amina s goal is to become the first female ruler of the land. Pdf hausa handembroidery and local development in northern. Amina of zaria is a digital platform and exclusive online tribe to help women of colour to succeed in business, career and life. Merged with yola in 1935 by the fulani administration, jimeta regained. Queen aminas achievement was the closest that any ruler had ever come in bringing the region now known as northern nigeria under a single authority and zaria aka birnin zaria was named after queen aminas younger sister zariya, and is where the royal palace of the zazzau kingdom reside even up till today. Commonly known as the warrior queen, queen amina of zaria was the first woman to become the sarauniya queen in a maledominated society. She lived approximately 200 years prior to the establishment.
Aminatu, commonly known as amina, was a great hausa warrior who later became the queen of zazzau. Some scholars date queen aminas reign to about 1549, as heir apparent after the death of her mother. Follow amina of zaria on youtube, facebook and instagram to design a life of success and passion. I thought it was an intersting story because how can a queen give her daughter a slaves job for one week. In 1576 when karama died, amina, now about 43, became queen of zazzau. She is the third story in a new eightpart series, african women who changed the world. The legend of the brave queen of zazzau has just about lived to tell itself, for it has become a breathing story, with a life of its own. The queen mother, a powerful title among the edo and yoruba, could be. For these zaria city women, handembroidery dinkin hannu is an. When she died,people from southern africa came to her tragedy and the line to her tomb. This queen of zazzua, a province of nigeria now known as zaria, was born around 1533 during the reign of sarkin king zazzau nohir. In the 16th century, ruthless warrior queen amina commanded an army of 20,000 men in what is now nigeria. Apr, 2018 queen amina of zazzau, wey dem dey call zaria now for kaduna, northwest nigeria, na di first sarauniya queen wey rule for time wen na only men fit do dis kain tin. More than 400 years later, the legend of her persona became the model for a television series about a fictional warrior princess, called xena.
Amina, one of few warrior queens who ruled an african kingdom. When bakwa died in 1566, the crown of zazzua passed to aminas younger brother, karama. Queen amina of zazzau, today zaria, was a warrior queen who governed the hausa in the sixteenth century. Brave, strong, warriorclass, she won many military exploits and will forever be the amina, yar bakwa rana ta san meaning a woman as capable as a man. Her familys wealth is said to come from the sale of leather goods, cloth, kola, salt, horses and imported metals. Queen amina of zazzau was born around 1533 in the province. She had a younger sister named zaria for whom the modern city of zaria kaduna state was renamed by the british in the early twentieth century. Contrary to the belief that leadership in africa has patriarchal roots, queen amina of zaria negates the belief. At sixteen, amina became the heir apparent magajiya to her mother, bakwa of turunku, the ruling queen of zazzua. Their familys wealth was derived from the trade of leather goods, cloth, kola, salt, horses and imported metals. Probably founded in about 1536, later in the century it became the capital of the hausa state of zazzau. Amina became queen after her younger brother karama died. The most interesting part is that she used to go to war with her army and mary a king and killed him the night she married him just to take over his land.
She is remembered in song as a woman as capable as a man, which is rather understating the matter, seeing as how amina was the greatest ruler and warrior in nigerian history. Queen amina of zazzau is known for her prowess in territorial and economic expansion of her state. Young amina is born into a wealthy family and her grandfather is the ruler or zaria. Queen amina of zazzau kingdom africas warrior princess. Queen amina is set in modern day nigeria and is a tale of military victory and female heroism. More than 400 years later, the legend of her became the model for a television series about a fictional warrior princess, called xena. Today, i would like to tell you about yet another great queen of africa, queen amina of zazzau. One of the greatest nigerian women ever is queen amina of zaria. The role of nigerian women britannica encyclopedia britannica. In 2001, the nigerian agricultural and rural development bank, ltd. Just as amina was a dedicated warrior before she became queen, i will also be just as dedicated to my lady warriors.
Her real biography has been somewhat obscured by subsequent legends and folk tales. Amina meaning truthful, honest, was born the eldest. Just like amanishakheto of nubia, nzingha of angola, or ranavalona i of madagascar, amina was a strong queen who loved her people, and totally marked her kingdom forever. Jan 06, 2015 amina, yar bakwa ta san rana amina, daughter of nikatau, a woman as capable as a man queen amina was a fierce warrior queen from the 16th century, a brilliant military strategist and the daughter of king nikatau, and queen bakwa turunku, who founded the kingdom of zaria. A brief history of queen amina the great woman warrior. In the sixteenth century, queen bakwa turunku built the capital of zazzau at zaria, named after her younger daughter. Much of what is known of queen amina is based on information.
Zazzua was one of a number of hausa citystates which dominated the transsaharan trade after the collapse of the songhai empire to the west. Both town and state were named for queen zaria late 16th century, younger sister and successor of zazzaus ruler queen amina. Amina the warrior queen or zaria temple productions website. She used her military prowess to expand the territory of zazzau to the mouth of the niger in the south and including kano and katsina in the north. All you need to know about the great woman warrior, queen. Oct 24, 2007 queen amina of zaria 16th century the seven original states of hausaland. Jan 02, 2017 aminatu, the queen of zaria, nigeria, in the 15th century. Princess amina of the hausa city state of zazzau was born around 1533. In 1549 she became the heir apparent magajiya to her mother. Along with the title came the responsibility for a ward in the city and daily councils with other officials.
Amina was the elder daughter of queen bakwa turunku, the founder of the zauzau kingdom, now modernday zaria. Hausa hero and warrior queen amina of zaria full history,life. Amina of zaria commonly known as the warrior queen, expanded the territory of the hausa people of north africa to the largest borders in history. Queens of africa book 1 judybee, littlepinkpebble on. Queen zaria is a nz brand that offers sexy lingerie exclusively for women who have undergone surgery related to breast cancer. Jun 27, 2017 queen amina is described as a legend and represents the spirit and strength of womanhood.
In 1566, when bakwa died, aminas younger brother karama became king. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. This is not straightup historical fiction, but rather a blend of that and fantasy, with a. Pdf the hausa people of northern nigeria have long been known for their. This story follows the story of the historical queen of zazzau amina. Amina was born in the middle of the sixteenth century ce to king nikatau, the 22nd ruler of zazzau, and queen bakwa turunku r. More than 400 years later, the legend of her persona became the model for a television series about a fictional warrior princess, called. It also represented their ability to merge their domestic lives with their public lives. Amina of zaria 15331610, commonly known as the warrior queen, expanded the territory of the hausa people of north africa to the largest borders in history.
Amina of zaria biography, birth date, birth place and pictures. Amina, one of few warrior queens who ruled an african. Hausa hero and warrior queen amina of zaria full history. The queen amina of zaria nigeria has been able to mark the course of history. One of the greatest warriors ever to emerge from africa in the sixteenth century was queen amina of zazzau. Queen amina of zaria was as iiiusmous as she was combalive.
Jul 14, 2016 amina of zaria commonly known as the warrior queen, expanded the territory of the hausa people of north africa to the largest borders in history. She expanded the territory of the hausa people of north africa to its largest borders in history. Tales have been told about her bravery in battle and her exploits on. During her brothers rule, it was believed that amina was honing her military skills.
Katsina, daura, kano, zazzau, gobir, rano, and garun gabas cover an area of approximately 500 square miles and comprise the heart of hausaland. Here we share videos, podcasts, programs, events, conferences and resources to design the life you want and love. Although her mothers reign was known for peace and prosperity, amina also chose to learn military skills from the warriors. Queen amina of zaria was a fearless warrior and a great queen. Three months after taking power, amina set off on her first military expedition. Like the great nzingha of angola, queen aminas leadership skills were discovered. As a granddaughter to king sarkin, amina was the apparent heir of the throne after bakwa of turunku the kings wife and the mother to amina. While stories about her could be legends, scholars believe she was an actual person who ruled in.
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