Awhanleko in Cotonou, Littoral Department, Benin — West Africa
The Amazons of Benin
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 10, 2023
1. The Amazons of Benin Marker
Telles nos amazones, la femme béninoise est notre fierté.
—Patrice Talón, 2022
Our Amazons are a symbol of our love and commitment to the country. They, just like our men, are known for their bravery and defense of the homeland.
And like our Amazons, we are proud of the women of Benin.
—Patrice Talón, 2022
Erected 2022.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Wars, Non-US • Women.
Location. 6° 20.942′ N, 2° 24.452′ E. Marker is in Cotonou, Littoral Department. It is in Awhanleko. Memorial is on Boulevard de la Marina south of Rue 362, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Boulevard de la Marina, Cotonou, Littoral Department, Benin. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 3 kilometers of
this page online
More about this marker. Patrice Talón is the President of Benin.
Also see . . .
1. Dahomey Amazons at Wikipedia.
The Dahomey Amazons (Fon: Agojie, Agoji, Mino, or Minon) were a Fon all-female military regiment of the Kingdom of Dahomey (in today's Benin, West Africa) that existed from the 17th century until the late 19th century. They are one of the few documented female armies in modern history. They were named Amazons by Western Europeans who encountered them, due to the story of the female warriors of Amazons in Greek mythology.(Submitted on March 12, 2023.)
Against a military unit with decidedly superior weaponry and a longer bayonet, however, the Dahomey Mino could not prevail. During a battle with French soldiers at Adegon on October 6, 1892, during the second Dahomean-Franco War, the bulk of the Mino corps were wiped out in a matter of hours in hand-to-hand combat after the French engaged them with a bayonet charge. The Dahomey lost 86 regulars and 417 Dahomey Mino, with nearly all of those deaths being inflicted by bayonets; the French lost six soldiers.
Dahomey’s defeat by the French military led to the kingdom’s demiseand the disbanding of the "Amazons". Dahomey was turned into a French colony in 1894.Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 10, 20232. An Amazon of Benin — Benin AmazoneThis 30-metre-high statue sculpted by Li Xiangqun represents an Agoodie, the name given to members of the military corps entirely composed of women. It was erected in 2022.
2. Second Franco-Dahomean War at Wikipedia. This conflict led to French control of Dahomey in 1894. This control would last until 1960 when Benin gained its independence. (Submitted on March 12, 2023.)
3. Benin’s 30m-tall “Amazon” statue honours the women warriors of Dahomey. 2022 article by Patrick Nelle in Bella Naija. Excerpt:
“... On the evening of Independence Day, many people were at the foot of the statue to take pictures and contemplate,” Zevouno Marco said. “I would even say that it’s our ‘Statue of Liberty’.”(Submitted on September 1, 2023.)
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 10, 2023
3. The Amazons of Benin Statue
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 10, 2023
4. The Amazons of Benin Statue
The 30 m statue was sculpted by Li Xiangqun.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 10, 2023
5. The Amazons of Benin Statue
Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2023, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 342 times since then and 125 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 12, 2023, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.
