Amina

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This article is about the Nigerian princess. For the Icelandic string quartet called Amiina (formerly Amína), see Amiina.

Amina (also called Aminatu) was a Muslim princess of the royal family of the Zazzua area, in what is now the Zaria providence of Nigeria. [1] She was born circa 1533 and is estimated to have died at around 1610.

[edit] Military career

When she was 16 years old her mother, Bakwa of Turunku, became queen. During this point in her life, she became involved in the Zazzua military, earning much admiration for her bravery. Her military achievements brought her great wealth and power.

She is also credited as the architect of the earth walls around the city of Zaria, for which the providence is named. It is a subject of debate as to whether or not Amina was actually queen, but she was responsible for conquering many of the cities in the area surrounding Zazzua.

According to those who believe that she did ascend to the throne, in her thirty-four year reign she expanded the domain of Zazzua to its largest size ever. Some sources state that her main focus was not on the annexation of neighboring lands, but on forcing local rulers to accept vassal status and permit Hausa traders safe passage. [2]

[edit] Trivia

Amina is also the name of the Islamic prophet Muhammad's mother, who died when Muhammad was young. The Arabic meaning of the name Amina is "trustworthy".