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Amina

Type Figure Region Hausaland Time c. 1533–1610 Also known as Queen of Zaria

Amina (also called Aminatu) was a female ruler or general of the Hausa city-state of Zazzau (modern Zaria, Nigeria) in oral and later chronicle tradi…

Timeline

  1. c. 1533–1576Zazzau · Kaduna State16th-century traditions call her the daughter of Nikatau, daughter of Bakwa Turunku, and sister of Karama, famed for mounted combat in her brother's army. Palace traditions make her a queen, while other traditions call her only a princess.
  2. 1576–1580Zazzau · Kaduna StatePalace traditions say she succeeded as Queen of Zazzau after Karama's death; other traditions omit her from the royal list and record only her command of troops. The so-called 1576 accession comes from some modern accounts and cannot be treated as a contemporary chronology.
  3. 1581–1610Hausaland · HausalandOral traditions and 19th-century Sokoto documents say she expanded to the southeast and southwest, as far as Kwara and Nupe areas, marking controlled zones with earthen walls (ganuwar Amina). Claims of tribute from Kano and Katsina are questioned by contemporary historians and cannot be treated as verified victories.

Sources