Prof. Bolanle Awe. Circa: 1992, posited that “The task of piecing together women’s history has been difficult. So acute is the dearth of information, particularly documentary evidence, that some of the outstanding women in history have been mistaken for men and their achievements, attributed to male rulers!”
Objectively, history has not been fair in recording the contributions of women to nation-building. History overlook their achievements and the role they played in history, the high value that women bring to the table has almost been reduced. But for the record, the circle of life is not complete without women in its rotation.
However, It is very important we recognize women engagement and crucial roles towards the growth and development of the nation.
The contributions of women must not be undermine, but unfortunately women roles and contribution have not been properly documented and recorded like that of men history.
It is disturbingly disheartening that history has omitted most remarkable efforts made by women especially in the pre-colonial era when there was little no record keeping platform to store such valuable and key information.
The active roles played by women in both the struggle for independence and the maintenance of sovereignty and independence in Nigeria is paramount and cannot be overlooked nor neglected.
Feminism and the obstacles facing women in Nigeria and across Africa may persist, yet the legacies of powerful women such as Queen Amina of Zaria assure us of the possibilities that exist for African women to reshape the destinies of their societies and communities.
During the pre-colonial era, most women who played notable roles were brave warriors and female chiefs who understood the importance of sovereignty and freedom and were willing to fight for it, get it and keep it.
In the 12th century, there was a Moremi Ajasoro of Ile-Ife, a Queen Amina of Zaria, a Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, and now Okonjo Iweala.
We have countless of them, but we will be limiting our discussion here to the legacy of Queen Amina of Zaria. A Fearless Warrior and legendary of Hausa queens who ruled the kingdom.
QUEEN AMINA OF ZARIA
Queen Amina is believed to have been born in the16th century but scholars differ on the exact date of her birth. She lived in what is now Zaria City, in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
She was born to the ruler, Bakwa of Turunku in the city state of Zazzau. The family was wealthy as a result of trading in imported metals, cloth, cola, salt, horses and imported metals. Her father died in 1566, after his death, the crown was conferred upon Amina’s younger brother, Karama.
Amina nonetheless choose to spend her time honing her military skills with the warriors of the Zazzau cavalry.
This led to her eventually emerging as a leader of the Zazzau cavalry, during which time she accumulated great wealth and numerous military accolades.
Upon the death of her brother after a 10 year rule, Amina had matured into a fierce warrior and earned the respect of the Zazzau military, so she was able to assume the reign of the kingdom.
Amina during her childhood days was once caughtby her grandmother ‘Marka’ the favourite wife of her grandfather; Sarkin Nohir, holding a dagger. Amina holding the dagger didn’t shock her grandmother; rather what shocked her was the exact way Amina held the dagger – exactly the way a warrior would.
There is a slogan ‘Amina, a woman like a man!’ This is the slogan used to describe Amina. Everything she did as a queen exceeded what her male predecessors had done. She symbolizes the spirit and strength of womanhood.
Queen Amina is mostly known to be a revered warrior queen. During Queen Amina 34 years of reign, Zaria achieved predominance under her rule.
She led her first military charge three months after assuming power. In terms of territorial expansion, Amina greatly expanded her kingdom through conquests to its greatest in history, trying to annex several surrounding cities up to Nupe, and ruled Kano and Katsina at the cost of 34 years of almost uninterrupted warfare.
In terms of trade and economic growth, She also opened up trade routes and is believed to have initiated the cultivation of kola nuts in the territory she ruled. She boosted her kingdom’s wealth and power with gold, slaves and new crops.
Queen Amina will also be credited for her architectural legacy of building of strong earthen walls around the city, which became the prototype for the fortifications and military strategy used in all Hausa states.
The walls provided protection against theft or destruction, while during peacetime, they controlled entry and exit. Those walls were later known as ganuwar Amina or ‘Amina’s walls’, they can be found today around various conquered cities.
What was weird and strange about Queen Amina was the fact that she never even considered marriage.
However, some history that can’t be independently verified said that she had lovers in each of her captured cities after each battle and, following their night together, she would have the unfortunate man killed in the morning.
The exact account of Amina’s death are not known. According to a 19th century Muslim scholar Dan Tafa, he said that “She died in a place called Attaagar during a military campaign near Bida around 1633″.
The story of Queen Amina is a vital evidence that shows that women were allowed to make ample contributions to the social, political and economic structure of their societies in pre-colonial Nigeria.
Consequently, this changed to a large extent with the advent of British colonial rule, causing women to suffer important setbacks.
Even in present day, we can see in some countries where women have lost their franchise to participate in government.
In some countries, women are not allowed to drive or go to the stadium for sporting activities.
In the present times, the influences and effect of Queen Amina can be felt at various places and institutions in northern Nigeria bearing Amina’s name. Among these places is a government secondary school named after her in Kaduna state, Queen Amina College.
Also,the character in the US-American television series ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ is said to have been inspired by Amina, princess and later queen of Zazzau.
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