Amina of Zazzau

16th-century queen who expanded her kingdom's territory and established trade routes, making her a legendary figure in West African history.

Amina of Zazzau (c. 1533–1610), commonly known as Queen Amina, was a Hausa warrior queen of the city-state Zazzau (now Zaria in Nigeria). Her reign is celebrated for its military conquests, strategic governance, and economic reforms, which significantly shaped the socio-political landscape of pre-colonial West Africa.

Amina ascended to the throne after the death of her brother, King Karama. Unlike her predecessors, she prioritized military expansion, leading her army to conquer territories as far as Nupe and Kano. Her campaigns fortified Zazzau's dominance, establishing it as a hub for trade in kola nuts, cloth, and metals. She commissioned the construction of fortified walls (ganuwar Amina) around conquered cities, many of which still stand today.

Her leadership revolutionized gender roles in a male-dominated era. By integrating conquered regions into a centralized administration, she promoted cultural exchange and security for traders. Her policies facilitated the spread of Islam and Hausa language, laying groundwork for the Hausa Kingdoms' golden age.

Despite limited contemporary records, oral traditions and chronicles like the Kano Chronicle immortalize her legacy. Modern scholars, such as Heidi Nast, highlight her role in challenging patriarchal norms and fostering economic resilience.