Shoulder Handbag (The Dahomey women, often referred to as the Dahomey Amazons)

The Dahomey women, often referred to as the Dahomey Amazons, were an all-female military regiment of the Kingdom of Dahomey, which is present-day Benin. They were known for their bravery and skill in battle, serving as royal bodyguards and warriors from the late 1600s to the early 1900s1. Here are some key points about them:

Recruitment and Training: Often recruited as teenagers, these women lived in the royal palace, isolated from society, and devoted their lives to weapons training and warfare.
Roles: They protected the king, fought wars of conquest, and were capable of being mobilized in the thousands in the event of conflict.
Cultural Impact: The Dahomey women challenged traditional gender roles and were a symbol of strength and empowerment in their society.
Legacy: Their legacy has been celebrated in various forms of media, including the film “The Woman King,” which portrays the story of the Agojie, the name by which the Dahomey women warriors were known.
The Dahomey women’s remarkable history serves as a testament to their formidable presence and the significant role they played in their kingdom’s military and cultural identity.