The Rest Is History 317: African Amazons
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Mar 30, 2023 Historian and anthropologist Luke Pepera, author of 'Motherland: 500,000 Years of African History, Cultures and Identity', dives into the captivating legacy of African warrior queens and female fighters. He discusses the fearsome Dahomey warriors and their rigorous training, alongside Queen Nzinga's strategic defiance against colonial forces. Pepera also highlights the influential Ashanti Queen Mothers and the complexities of female leadership, challenging modern narratives and emphasizing the powerful roles women played in shaping Africa's political landscape.
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Dahomey Amazon Training
- Dahomey Amazons underwent intense military training, including scrambling across acacia thorns.
- One recruit, Naniska, beheaded a captive and drank his blood, as witnessed by a French officer.
The Woman King Controversy
- The film 'The Woman King' sparked controversy for portraying Dahomey warriors as anti-slavery.
- Dahomey's economy relied partly on slavery, raising questions about the film's historical accuracy.
Female Warriors in Africa
- Female warriors and military leaders are not a Eurocentric fantasy, but a historical reality in many African societies.
- From ancient Kush to the Ashanti, women held significant military roles, unlike the exclusively female societies in classical mythology.
