Hello everyone, I hope that you had a good weekend and that the beginning of the week went well for you.
As we are in a new week, I introduce you to a new "Question of the Week" which will be about the Amazon of Dahomey. Just like last week, I will break the subject in three parts.
So, in this first part, I will tell who they were, give you an overview and as usual give you the sources to watch or read if you are interested in the topic and want to know more.
The Amazons are, to me, the archetype of the fierce women. They were combative, brave and determined!
The Amazons of Danhomey (actual Benin) were called “Mino” or “Minon” which means “our mothers”. They were part of the military troop of the Kingdom. The name “Amazons” were given by the European writers and soldiers. the all- female military troop lasted until the end of the 19th century.
The origin
This all- female military troop was created by the Queen Tassi Hangbé who ruled the kingdom from 1708 to 1711 when the previous king, her twin brother, king Akaba died in 1708. As she became Queen, the men around her never accepted her coronation because she was a woman. Therefore, as she did not feel safe around the men around, she decided to create her own military army which would only be constitute of females: The Amazons.
They were very fierce and combative. When a new souverain sat on the throne, the Amazons were still present, watchful of the population of the Kingdom.
It is however, under the reign of the King Guezo that their gaing popularity in the modern culture and then by the King Behanzin. It can actually be argued that it is when guezo became King that their capacities raised and that they became redoubtable.
Their formation
Their trademark was decapitation. They would cut the head of their enemies and bring it to the King to show their devotion to him.
Some of them were formed as early as 8 years old. Some others were enrolled in the military troop voluntary or sent by their husbands who found them as having a “bad character”. They were supposed to be virgins and not have children as they were giving their lives to the King.
They had physical but also mental exercises to make them stronger both in their bodies and their minds. Moreover, they were considered as more qualified and fiercer than the men by the King. Their presence in the Kingdom was prominent as they were part of the most important political decisions.
References
Websites
Book
MONARQUE HANGBÉ : PANÉGYRIQUE D’UNE REINE BIFFÉE : Reine du Danhomè : 1708 à 1711, l’actuelle République du Bénin by Sophie Adonon
Комментарии