A writer’s re-creation of ‘Legend of Queen Amina’

The novel explores Mohammed ldris’ creative portrayal of the legendary Queen Amina and how her story relates to the history of Zazzau. The line between creative literature and history attenuates when one gives it a critical look, hence the crucial role of the former in making a reader become aware of and discover his or […]

The novel explores Mohammed ldris’ creative portrayal of the legendary Queen Amina and how her story relates to the history of Zazzau. The line between creative literature and history attenuates when one gives it a critical look, hence the crucial role of the former in making a reader become aware of and discover his or her environment.
Creative literature, as portrayed by the novel, emanates from conscious acts of members of the society through the prospects of the artist himself, whose creativity is an outcome of his intelligence and imaginative prowess in putting the past into words and images.
The story centres on the legendary Queen Amina of Zazzau (Zaria); an ancient stronghold as well as the largest of the Hausa kingdoms. It begins with a vivid description of the birth of Amina, otherwise called ‘Magajiya,’ by her mother Tala. At her birth, the father, Bakwa, becomes disturbed as the author puts it thus:
“His mind has been pre-occupied with many thoughts. It was around 1533, a period when the warring Kwararafas were launching numerous military campaigns against Habe rulers and defeating a number of them and unlike Nohir, his father, Bakwa has no male child to succeed him, going by their custom that only a male child is given the title of heir. His thought was that a valiant prince in the royal courtyard would have virtually guaranteed continuity of the throne and could ensure resistance and expansion against the hostility of ambitious neighbours.”
The baby, although surrounded by many mysteries and secrets, grows up acquiring skills not expected of girls. She learns military tactics, logistics and organisation from leading warriors. Amina later meets Jabba, one of her slaves whom she takes into confidence and also taught the art of warfare. She learns the courage and tactics of Queen Amina and accompanies her on many warring missions. However, Amina’s refusal to marry forms the bases for her fall. Here the author writes:
“It is her wish never to be subjected to the control of a man; being her belief that the so-called love is just a mere coincidence of selfish and common interest, which coincidentally did not as yet coincide with that of any man; beside every other thing, it is also her ardent belief that a lady of her stance ought not need a thing in a man.”
No doubt, the legendary Magajiya, otherwise known as Amina, knew that no man in his right senses would want to marry her despite her power, fame and wealth, knowing her to be a hermaphrodite. What she therefore resorts to is to reject all suitors, either by making fun of them or resenting them.
At last, since she has the powers, she picks from amongst her captives as well as slaves, any man she desires to have. She has them satisfy her lust, and then makes sure they do not live to tell the story of their encounter with her. That becomes the weapon that eventually destroys her.
Queen Amina’s sexual weakness leads her to have Yazeed, a male servant, nephew of one of the strongest men in the kingdom – Tagumo; who also happens to be a lover to her personal maid, Jabba. After the affair, Yazeed takes an oath to keep her secret, but the Queen goes on to slay him as she does others.
Reading through the work of Idris, it can be seen that both history and creative literature are intertwined to tell the story; since history is the story of man’s representation of his own story. In other words, what people through the ages have chosen to record and write down. Therefore, many episodes in the novel do not align with the actual verbal history of the Amina of Zazzau.
Indeed, so powerful is the memory of her exploits that songs of her deeds are still sung today. This fact of songs is what the author adopts in his novel thus:
“Amina, daughter of Nikatau,a woman as capable as a man, Lioness with prowess,
Heroine amidst heroes, Un-leasher of terror. A bee that stings the rocks. A tigress that scratches the water. My Queen, my pride, my brave one.”
The author utilises the imaginative skills of creative literature in writing the novel and relates it to history. He narrates the history of Zazzau, but to some extent uses a lot of his creative power to talk of many incidents that might not have actually happened in history, or have been exaggerated.
For this remarkable effort, credit must be given to Idris’ superb imaginative power and the amazing skill with which he translates this legend to words.