The Amazons of Dahomé or Minon or Agoodjié
This is a former all-female “Fon” military regiment from the Kingdom of Dahomey. They are called amazons by western settlers. But their real name is indeed the Minon or the agoodjié. History also teaches us that the name Dahomé was Frenchified.
Some sources attribute the creation of the regiment of the Amazons to King Houébadjia of Dahomey towards the end of the 17th century. However, history has established that the birth of the regiment is rather due to Queen Tassi Hangbé.
Tassi Hangbé, is the only woman to have reigned on the throne of Dahomey and therefore she is considered the true creator of the Amazons. She thus took care to train certain women of the kingdom in combat by laying the foundations of the regiment.
Having quickly understood that she will not be left to do as she pleases, Tassi Hangbé built up a close guard made up of the best warriors. They were recruited and trained from an early age. Very well trained, they knew how to be much more effective than men.
Although she reigned only a few years, Tassi Hangbé had enough time to highlight women.
In subsequent years, the female warriors would earn a reputation as fearless fighters.
A few years after Tassi Hangbé and in the era of King Ghezo Dahomey will be more and more militarized. King Ghezo will give great importance to the army, he will increase its budget and improve its structure. The Minon (our mothers in the Fon language) will be more and more trained, they will obtain uniforms and will be very well equipped with weapons.