The Agojie Amazons of West Africa: The True Story of the Fierce Warriors Who Inspired 'The Woman King'

Underestimating the Agojie proved deadly. In the 19th century, when these West African female warriors stormed French ships, the men aboard hesitated to fight women—only to face devastating blows and swift defeat.

Hollywood also underestimated the Agojie. Initially projected to earn modestly, The Woman King stunned with a $19 million opening weekend and widespread praise. However, the film also sparked debate, with the hashtag #BoycottWomanKing gaining traction.

Critics argue that the film glosses over the complex history of the Agojie and Dahomey, the kingdom they served. Dahomey engaged in the slave trade, exchanging prisoners for European goods, which were later sold into slavery. This has led some to question the morality of celebrating the Agojie.

Were the Agojie champions of feminism, enforcers of slavery, or simply deeply complex individuals? Historical accounts shed light on the Amazons of West Africa.

The Elite Guard of Dahomey

The Agojie were an all-female military unit serving as the royal guard of Dahomey, now part of modern-day Benin. Historians believe they were a revered—and dreaded—force, tracing their origins to at least the era of Queen Hangbe in 1718, if not earlier.

According to UNESCO, the Agojie were originally chosen from the kingdom’s top huntresses and the king’s most formidable wives. However, by the early 19th century, Dahomey began enlisting teenage girls and drafting female prisoners from conquered territories into their ranks.

Dahomey was a dominant kingdom with ambitions of expansion, as evidenced by its female prisoners of war. When not safeguarding their ruler, the Agojie were capturing neighboring territories and their inhabitants. These captives were frequently sold into slavery as part of Dahomey’s trade agreements with Europe, exchanging human lives for advanced weaponry, textiles, and alcohol.

Confronting Colonial Forces

The Agojie perfected their combat abilities through rigorous training. They navigated thorny obstacles, engaged in sparring matches, and mastered the art of loading and twirling firearms with finesse. Beyond warfare, they also organized grand military displays. Their leisure time was spent in exclusive quarters within the Dahomey royal palaces, accessible only to them, the king, and a few eunuch attendants.

Descendants of the Agojie still recall their innovative combat techniques. As The Washington Post noted, some warriors could decapitate enemies with a single swing of a curved blade, while others used their sharp nails to suffocate adversaries. From a young age, girls were taught self-defense by the Agojie, regardless of whether they intended to follow in their foremothers’ military footsteps.

Though the Agojie were always prepared for battle, they faced an unbeatable enemy: colonialism. Their era came to an end when France defeated Dahomey in 1892, concluding a two-year war and a prolonged struggle where the Agojie were often sent to repel foreign invaders. Historians estimate that only 50 Agojie survived their time, with the last passing away by the 1970s. Their legacy endures through war chants, oral histories, and modern media, with fictionalized portrayals appearing in HBO’s Lovecraft Country and Marvel’s Black Panther, where Wakanda’s Dora Milaje draw inspiration from the Agojie.

Historical Accuracy vs. Cinematic Interpretation

The film not only portrays Dahomey’s dealings with European slave traders but also features Nanisca (Viola Davis), a central Agojie warrior, urging King Ghezo (John Boyega) to cease the slave trade and focus on palm oil production. This mirrors the historical pressure King Ghezo faced in the 1800s to end slavery, though Nanisca is, as the director notes, a composite of several individuals. The movie suggests he ultimately heeds her advice.

King Ghezo eventually halted the export of slaves to satisfy Great Britain, which had abolished the slave trade in 1807 and pushed other nations to do the same. However, historians emphasize that he did not entirely eradicate slavery in Dahomey. As with most Hollywood adaptations of history, the reality is more nuanced.