Kamogelo Olaitan
African Queens: Scrolla.Africa is showcasing the lives of seven African Queens from history whose remarkable lives went on to shape the world today.
For millennia, men have conquered land to expand their empires. It’s a tale as old as humanity itself.
At a time when men dominated every aspect of society, especially war and politics, Queen Amina of Zazzau – now Zaria, in Kaduna state, Nigeria – emerged as a remarkable exception.
She would become the first woman to rule her kingdom, a role she filled for over 30 years in the 16th century.
In the third month of her reign, she set out with more than 20,000 soldiers to wage war against neighbouring territories in a bid to expand her empire.
She established trade routes across northern Africa, making Zazzau a major trading centre. This benefitted her kingdom financially and generated wealth for her and her people.
She built walls – known as the Amina walls – to protect her cities.
From an early age Queen Amina became interested in politics and in war and her grandfather trained her in these disciplines.
At the age of 16, she was training with the Zazzau military.
Her fighting skills were so impressive that her mother named her an heir apparent.
Despite this, her brother Karama would ascend the throne and rule for 10 years before his death.
Having gained respect from the military kingmakers through the time she fought battles during her brother’s reign, Amina became a queen.
There are reports that Queen Amina was also so ruthless that she would pick a husband after every battle, spend the night with him and get him executed in the morning.
She died in 1610 although the cause and place of her death are unknown.
Image source:MVSLIM
