History of Zaria

Full Name: Queen Amina of Zazzau
State of Origin: Zazzau (Zaria)
Ethnicity: Hausa
Date of Birth: Around 1533
Died: 1633 Near Bida in Nigeria
Nationality: Nigerian
Marriage Status: Single.
Spouse(s) : None
Parents: Queen Bakwa Turunku
Residence: Birnin Zaria Nigeria
Language: Hausa and English
Religion: Islam
Alma mater: -
Occupation: African Warrior Queen
Position(S): The founder of the Zazzau Kingdom
INTRODUCTION
Amina was born around 1533 in Zaria, Know then
as Zazzau a province of today’s Nigeria is now
north west Nigeria. She was the daughter of
Bakwa of Turunku. Their family's wealth was
derived from the trade of leather goods, cloth,
kola, salt, horses and imported metals.
Queen Amina of Zazzau was a Hausa Muslim
Warrior known as Queen of Zazzau (now Zaria)
and a west african warrior queen.
She was the elder daughter of Queen Bakwa
Turunku, the founder of the Zazzau Kingdom in
1536. Some scholars date Queen Amina's reign
to about 1549, as heir apparent after the death of
her mother. This medieval African kingdom was
located in the region now known as the Kaduna
State in the north-central region of Nigeria,
capital at the modern city of Zaria. Zaria (aka
Birnin Zaria) was named after Queen Amina's
younger sister Zariya, and is where the Royal
Palace of Zaria resided.
Amina chose to hone her military skills from the
warriors of the Zazzau military. As a result, she
emerged as leader of the Zazzua cavalry. Many
accolades, great wealth, and increased power
resulted from her numerous military
achievements.
According to the history she was a contemporary
of Muhammad Dauda, who ruled from 1421–38,
and Amina conquered as far as Nupe and
Kwarafa, collected tribute from far and wide and
ruled for 34 years.A number of scholars accept
this information and date her reign to the early to
mid-15th century.
By 1805, the region was captured by the Fulani
during the Fulani jihad. By 1901, Frederick
Lugard led British forces and captured Zaria as a
protectorate state. This is the same year that it
is reported that Zaria sought British protection
against slave raids from the Kontagora region.
After a Zaria magaji (representative) murdered
the British Captain Moloney in 1902 at Keffi, the
British stripped the emirate of most of its vassal
states. Since Nigeria's independence from the
British in 1960, Zaria is one of its largest
traditional emirates.
Legend also decrees she died during a military
campaign at Atagara near Bida in Nigeria. Her
exploits earned her the moniker Amina, daughter
of Nikatau, a woman as capable as a man. Her
legendary escapades made her the model for the
television series Xena Warrior Princess. Today,
her memory represents the spirit and strength of
womanhood.
Amina led her first military charge a few months
after assuming power. For the rest of her 34 year
reign, she continued to fight and expand her
kingdom to the greatest in history. The objective
for initiating so many battles was to make
neighbouring rulers her vassal and permit her
traders safe passage. In this way, she boosted
her kingdom’s wealth and power with gold,
slaves, and new crops. Because her people were
talented metal workers, Amina introduced metal
armor, including iron helmets and chain mail, to
her army.
EDUCATION
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.
CAREER
She emerged as leader of the Zazzua cavalry.
To her credit, she fortified each of her military
camps with an earthen wall. Later, towns and
villages sprung up within these protective
barriers. The walls became known as Amina’s
Walls and many of them remain in existence to
this day.
LOVE, MARRIAGE AND CHILDREN
According to legend, Amina refused to marry and
never bore children. Instead, she took a
temporary husband from the legions of
vanquished foes after every battle. After spending
one night together, she would condemn him
death in the morning in order to prevent him from
ever speaking about his sexual encounter with the
queen.
THE DAYS OF YOUTH:
She fought and won.
INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT QUEEN AMINA
The warriors of the Zazzau military and she
conquered as far as Nupe and Kwarafa.
RECOGNITIONS
The founder of the Zazzau Kingdom in 1536.
Search NigeriaGalleria
Latest job vacancies online in Nigeria on the Jiji
website
Connect With Us
nigeria > personal