The Dahomey Amazons: West Africa's All-Female Army

Before the kingdom of Dahomey fell to French colonialism, its army included a corps of several thousand women soldiers — the Agooji, or Dahomey Amazons. This episode traces their origins in the 17th century under King Houegbadja, their evolution into elite shock troops under King Ghezo, and their final stand against French artillery in 1892. We explore how they were recruited, trained, and armed, how they lived in the royal palace, and how European visitors like Sir Richard Burton and John Duncan described them with a mix of awe and horror. We also confront the uncomfortable truth that these warrior women fought to defend a kingdom that thrived on the slave trade — and were themselves used as slave catchers. Their story is one of extraordinary courage tangled in a deeply violent system. Featuring the military tactics of King Ghezo, the fortress of Abomey, and the French commander Alfred Dodds. #DahomeyAmazons #Agooji #WestAfrica #KingGhezo #KingdomOfDahomey #Benin #Abomey #AlfredDodds #FemaleWarriors #SlaveTrade #FrenchColonialism #19thCentury #MilitaryHistory #SirRichardBurton #AfricanHistory #WomenInHistory #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo