The Dahomey Amazons, known in their native Fon language as Mino (“Our Mothers”) or Agoji, were an all-female military regiment that served the Kingdom of Dahomey (in present-day Benin, West Africa) from the 17th century until the late 19th century. They are a unique and celebrated part of world history, recognized for their ferocity, discipline, and military prowess. They were named Amazons by Western Europeans who encountered them, due to the story of the female warriors of Amazons in Greek mythology.
The exact origin of the Dahomey Amazons is debated, with various oral traditions and historical accounts offering different theories. Some scholars suggest the group began in the 17th century during the reign of King Houegbadja (1645-1685), possibly as a corps of elephant huntresses known as Gbeto. Another theory credits King Agaja’s older sister and predecessor, Queen Hangbe (1716-1718), with forming an all-female bodyguard unit. Regardless of the precise origin, the unit became a formal and significant part of the Dahomey army under the rule of King Ghezo (1818-1858).
During the reign of King Ghezo, Dahomey became increasingly militaristic, and he formalized the female regiment, transforming it from a ceremonial group into a formidable military force. He significantly increased the army’s budget and placed great importance on the women’s unit. At their peak in the mid-19th century, the Amazons numbered between 1,000 and 6,000 women, comprising roughly one-third of the kingdom’s entire army.
Their service was central to the kingdom's success. The Dahomey Amazons fought with distinction in many of the kingdom's conflicts with neighboring states, expanding its territory and power. They were heavily involved in the Atlantic slave trade, leading raids on other villages to capture people who were then sold to European traders in exchange for weaponry. This economic activity was crucial to the kingdom's wealth and military strength.
Recruitment for the Mino came from various sources. Some women were volunteers, while others were conscripted from foreign captives or involuntarily enrolled by their husbands or fathers who complained to the king about their behavior. The women were often recruited from a young age, with some as young as eight.
Once enrolled, the Mino underwent rigorous physical training that emphasized discipline, survival skills, and indifference to pain and death. They were trained to use a variety of weapons, including muskets, bows, and sharp blades. As part of their training, they would perform exercises like storming defenses made of acacia thorns and executing prisoners.
The Dahomey Amazons held a privileged and respected status within the kingdom. They were considered ahosi (“king’s wives”) and lived in the royal palace. While they were legally married to the king, they were not allowed to have children or be part of married life, and many were virgins. Their status was so high that when they appeared in public, a servant would walk ahead of them, ringing a bell to alert men to move away and avert their eyes.
The Dahomey Amazons’ legacy of military success came to an end in the late 19th century with the rise of European colonialism. They fiercely resisted the French invasion of Dahomey during the First and Second Franco-Dahomean Wars in 1890 and 1892.
Despite their bravery and ferocity, they were ultimately outmatched by the superior weaponry and tactics of the French forces, who were armed with machine guns and bayonets. The bulk of the Amazon corps was tragically wiped out in hand-to-hand combat during the final battles. The French conquest was completed in 1894, and the Kingdom of Dahomey became a French protectorate. The Amazon regiment was officially disbanded.
Oral traditions and historical accounts state that some surviving Amazons continued to resist by secretly assassinating French officers. The last known surviving Dahomey Amazon, a woman named Nawi who claimed to have fought the French, was interviewed by a historian in 1978. She died in 1979, aged over 100.
The Dahomey Amazons have had a lasting impact, inspiring fictional portrayals such as the Dora Milaje in Marvel’s Black Panther and the film The Woman King. Their history stands as a testament to the unique roles and power that women could achieve in pre-colonial African societies.
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