After the release of The Woman King in 2022, one question keeps coming up: were the Dahomey Amazons real? The short answer is yes. The long answer is more complex and more impressive than what cinema could show.

This article separates historical facts from Hollywood additions and legends accumulated over three centuries.

What history says: The Mino were real

The Mino — the name the Fon gave to their women soldiers — did exist. They formed an elite military corps, composed exclusively of women, that served the Kingdom of Dahomey from the 18th century until the French conquest in 1894. Their existence is attested by multiple European sources: merchant accounts, French military reports, traveller journals and diplomatic correspondence.

The Mino are not a myth invented by Europeans. Dahomean sources — war chants, oral traditions, bas-reliefs of the royal palaces — also mention them. The Mino were an institutional reality, recognised and celebrated throughout the kingdom.

How many were there?

At their peak, under King Ghezo (1818-1858), the Mino represented between 30 and 40 percent of the Dahomean army. Historians estimate their number between 3,000 and 6,000 women, organised into distinct regiments. Each regiment had its name, its colours and its commanders.

After the defeat of 1894, the surviving Mino were scattered. Some continued to live in the royal palace, others returned to their villages. The last known Mino died in the 1970s.

What cinema changed: The case of the woman king

The film The Woman King (2022) starring Viola Davis popularised the Mino story worldwide. But the film takes significant liberties with historical reality.

The film's protagonist, Nanisca, is a fictional character — she does not correspond to any particular historical Mino. King Ghezo is portrayed as a reluctant abolitionist, whereas historical sources show he resisted British pressure to end the slave trade. The film simplifies the complex relationship between Dahomey and the Atlantic slave trade.

This does not mean the film is without historical value. It has the immense merit of drawing attention to a story long ignored. But it should be watched as inspiration, not as a documentary.

The truth behind the myths

Several myths surround the Mino. Some European accounts described them as "virgin warriors" who had taken a vow of celibacy — the reality was more nuanced. Mino were not allowed to marry or have children, but this was a military rule, not a religious one.

Other accounts depicted them as savage, bloodthirsty creatures. The reality is they were professional soldiers, disciplined, who followed orders like any elite troop of the era.

Frequently asked questions about the reality of the Dahomey amazons

Were the Dahomey amazons real?

Yes, the Mino really existed. They formed an elite military corps of women soldiers, attested by both Dahomean and European sources.

How long did the Mino exist?

The Mino existed from the 18th century until the French conquest of 1894, nearly two hundred years.

Is the woman king historically accurate?

The film is inspired by real events but takes significant liberties. The main characters are largely fictional and the timeline of events is altered.

What happened to the last Mino?

After the defeat of 1894, surviving Mino were scattered. The last known Mino died in the 1970s in Benin.

Discover the authentic history

To go further, read the full history of the Mino and the authentic story of the Dahomey Amazons, or explore Mino training. Plan your visit to Abomey to discover the royal palaces.