The Real Warriors Behind 'The Woman King'

Introduction to 'The Woman King'

• New film featuring Viola Davis as the leader of the Agojie.
• The Agojie: An elite all-woman army from the West African kingdom of Dahomey.
• The film is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood.
• Represents the first American film dramatizing this story.

Historical Context

• Dahomey was a powerful kingdom in West Africa in the 1840s.
• The Agojie, a 6,000-strong force, was known for its bravery and ferocity.
• The army became known as 'Amazons' by European visitors.
• The film blends historical facts with fictional elements.

Historical Accuracy of 'The Woman King'

• The film takes dramatic license; many characters, including Viola Davis's Nanisca, are fictional.
• King Ghezo is a historical figure who reigned from 1818 to 1858.
• The film is set during a period of conflict and the looming threat of European colonization.

The Story in the Film

• The Agojie frees captives from the Oyo Empire in 1823.
• Nanisca advocates for ending Dahomey's involvement in the slave trade.
• The film portrays a shift towards palm oil production instead of the slave trade.
• Historical records indicate Ghezo continued involvement in slave trade until 1852.

The Agojie: Dahomey's All-Woman Army

• Possibly formed in the early stages of Dahomey's history.
• The force reached its peak in the 19th century under King Ghezo.
• Dahomey's male population decline allowed women to take up dominant military roles.
• The Agojie's training included intense physical challenges and weapons handling.

Dahomey's Conflicts and Decline

• The kingdom faced setbacks against the Egba and later the French.
• The First Franco-Dahomean War began in 1890.
• The kingdom's eventual defeat by French forces in the second war led to its decline.
• European colonization impacted women's rights and roles in Dahomey.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

• The Woman King's production was challenging, highlighting Hollywood's issues with diversity.
• Dahomey's legacy continues to influence popular culture, such as in Black Panther's Dora Milaje.
• Historical recognition of African female warriors continues to grow.
• The film aims to renew conversations about African history and representation in media.

Conclusion

• 'The Woman King' merges history with fiction to highlight the story of the Agojie and Dahomey's history.
• The film plays a role in changing the narrative around African history and women's roles in it.
• The real Agojie were complex figures in history, both as symbols of strength and participants in the slave trade.

Additional Information

• The last known Agojie warrior with battlefield experience, Nawi, died in 1979.
• Ongoing research continues to uncover the descendants and legacy of the Agojie.
• French colonization had a lasting impact on the Dahomey's social structure and women's roles.