Photo of the Week: Queen Amina of Zazzau Painting

                            

Queen Amina Sarauniya Zazzau (1533-1610) was a monarch of the northwest territory of Zazzau (named Zaria much later on) in present-day Kaduna State.

A warrior and well-trained military strategist, she conquered many territories and expanded her kingdom during her 34-year reign. The woman to become the Sarauniya (queen) in a male-dominated society, Amina also expanded Zazzau's wealth and erected fortified walls (Ganuwar Amina or "Amina's walls") around its cities and military camps. 

In 1976, Nigerian artist Erhabor Emokpae captured the warrior queen in a unique oil painting on canvas,  in portrait view and depicting her in battle with her soldiers. 

The painting is currently at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Lagos.