Queen Amina: The Warrior Queen Who Built an Empire

Celebrating Women's History Month with a badass a day.

Long before Maria Bello conceived The Woman King there was this badass…

A story that echoes across the centuries, one of a woman who didn’t just rule a kingdom—she expanded it, fortified it, and made it a force to be reckoned with. Her name was Amina, and she wasn’t just a queen; she was a legend.

Amina was born in the mid-16th century in Zazzau, a Hausa city-state in what’s now northern Nigeria. From a young age, she was different. While other girls were taught to weave and cook, Amina was learning the art of war. She trained with the warriors of her kingdom, mastering the bow, the sword, and the strategies of battle. By the time she became queen, she was already a seasoned leader, a woman who commanded respect not just with her crown but with her skill and determination.

When Amina ascended to the throne, she didn’t settle for maintaining the status quo. She had a vision: to make Zazzau the most powerful kingdom in the region. And she didn’t just dream it—she did it.

Amina led her armie…