Yesterday you read that Abojevi/Robert Antoine served in the Dahomean army under King Ghezo. Dahomey was also known for its female warriors referred to as Mino (Fon for our mothers) or Dahomey Amazons by Westerners. The Mino were recruited from the king’s wives, conscripted by their fathers or husbands because of their 'bad behaviour' or voluntarily enrolled. At one time the Mino accounted for a third of the army, approximately 4,000 – 6,000. They had semi-sacred status, due to their belief in Vodun, and were not allowed to have children; many were virgins.
The Mino trained intensely and, thanks to the slave trade, were equipped with guns, clubs and knives. They were very successful and if you were unfortunate to be captured by them, you would have been decapitated!
I think this explains why we Antoine women are strong, independent and fierce!
Take a look at "our mothers" below:
The Dahomey Amazons are the only historically documented example of female warriors. If you read Stieg Larsson's "The Girl who Kicked the Hornets' Nest" there is a reference to these female warriors at the beginning of Part 4.
ReplyDeleteThe Antoine men make babies, the women are warriors! Interesting.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone were to check on the women in this family, most of us are really the one who wear the pants.:)
ReplyDelete