THE AMAZONS OF DAHOMEY

Whenever people hear the word Amazon, they are tempted to think about the mythical Amazons of ancient Anatolia probably because they didn't know real Amazons actually existed somewhere in Africa, in the kingdom of Dahomey

This group of female warriors was referred to as Mino, meaning "Our Mothers" in the Fon language, by the male army of Dahomey. One of their more popular victories was the defeat of a neighbouring kingdom called "Savi" after the amazons conquered their all male army

Membership among the Mino was supposed to hone any aggressive character traits for the purpose of war. During their membership they were not allowed to have children or be part of married life (though they were legally married to the king). Many of them were virgins. The regiment had a semi-sacred status, which was intertwined with the Fon belief in Vodun.
The Mino trained with intense physical exercise. They learnt survival skills and indifference to pain and death, storming acacia-thorn defenses in military exercises and executing prisoners

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African Heroes, Legends and Myths

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