QUEEN AMINA OF ZARIA
STORYBOOK -INTRODUCTION - AMINA- NANDI- TIYE- NZINGHA-
YAA ASANTAWA- CONCLUSION
(The silent air is filled with the spirit of curiosity as the first beautiful young woman steps up to tell her story)
Some people say that I am firm, harsh, and too focused for a girl. Others say that I am trustworthy and honest, and I do not let my good looks go to my head. I always feel proud when I hear these compliments because these are the exact meanings of my name "AMINA".
CALL: This is a story about the great Queen Amina of Zaria. A story, a story.
RESPONSE: Let it go, let it come.
Once upon a time in the province of Zazzua there lived a peaceful queen called Bakwa of Turunku. Queen Bakwa was the ruling queen of Zazzua, and the daughter of the late Sarkin (king) Zazzua Nohir who was the first great king of the wealthy and powerful Hausa province of Zazzua. When Queen Bakwa gave birth to Amina she knew there was something different about her. Amina was a curious child who wanted to see the world, and learn intellectual things well above her years. At only age 16, Amina became the "magajiya" (heir apparent) to her mother the queen. With this position came the responsibility of attending meetings, and maintaining a peaceful kingdom. Amina respected all these responsibilities but she wanted to accomplish more than only peace for the kingdom so she did something no other woman in Zazzua had ever done before- She decided to learn military skills.
After Queen Bakwa's death, the mantle of leadership was passed down to the Queen's younger brother Karama because the elders believed princess Amina was not "disciplined" enough to rule the kingdom. She did not dress or behave like a future queen, and she certainly did not act feminine even after it had been declared that she was one of the most desirable girls in Zazzua. Amina did not challenge the elders decision to make Karama king. She remained focused, and very soon she became a great commander of the Zazzua army. Her modified military tactics and honesty led to many military achievements that left her wealthy, and well respected by other military commanders.
Ten years later, Karama died and the people had no choice but to make Amina their new queen. Amina humbly accepted this new position, and her reign became even greater and more peaceful than that of the kings and queens that ruled before her. During her 34-year reign, Amina turned Zazzua into one of the greatest kingdoms in West Africa. Today, she is still remembered for building the mighty Zazzua or Zaria walls in Nigeria. These walls, which have often been compared to the great walls of China are called "ganuwar Amina" which means "Amina walls". Amina is still remembered by many who knew, or probably heard about her as "Amina, Yar bakwa ta san rana" which means "Amina, daughter of Bakwa, a woman as capable as a man.
So, when people compliment me and think I am different, I openly thank them because they have noticed that I am living up to my name "AMINA".
(A wild applause is released from the crowd, and they people begin to disperse with memories of the story they have just heard. So until next weekend, I bid you all sweet and courageous dreams about Amina- the woman as capable as a man.)
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Amina: Queen of Zaria - Contibuted by Danatu Bois
Website: The Afro-Centric experience
Weblink:http://www.swagga.com/queen.htm
Women in Power (1570-1600) - Authors unknown
Website: Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
Weblink:http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/womeninpower/Womeninpower1570.htm
West African Kingdoms
Website:BBC News Report
Weblink:http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/features/storyofafrica/4chapter5.shtml
Queen Amina of Zaria - Authors unknown
Website: Black History Pages
Weblink:http://purpleplanetmedia.com/bhp/pages/amina.shtml
AUTHOR'S NOTE: My story is based on the documented history of Amina of Zaria. I personalized my story by including the possible feelings, emotions, and assumptions of the main characters, and the storyteller. I also included the call and response storytelling technique that is widely used in Africa.
IMAGE INFORMATION: Amina of Zaria. Weblink: http://www.websn.com/Pride/Pride/queen_amina.htm