A skilled warrior, Queen Amina (1533-1610), our last great woman, ruled the largest city-state, Zazzau (now Zaria), in the Hausa Kingdom (also Hausaland). Her parents were King Nikatau of Zazzau and Queen Bakwa Turunku, and her grandparents were King Sarkin of Nohir and Marka (grandmother). She was the eldest of her siblings, Karama (brother) and Zaria (sister). The family was independently wealthy, her parents trading in kola nuts, salt, imported metals, horses, and cloth. From historical accounts, her parents and grandparents, for that matter, took an active role in shaping her into the woman and the warrior she came to be. Widely known for her skills in battle, Queen Amina accomplished so much more for the people of Zazzau.