The Dahomey Amazons are a unique phenomenon in world history, as far as this is the only documented women's military subdivision. This group of "terminator" women living south of the Sahara and horrified by European colonizers received from the foreigners the nickname "Dahomey Amazons". And they called themselves N "Nonmiton, which means" our mothers ".
The Dahomey Amazons were considered to be elite troops in the Kingdom of Dahomey (nowadays the Republic of Benin). N "Nonmiton defended their king during the most bloodthirsty battles and were untouchable, characteristic of them being beheaded their victims. The Amazons are not some mythical characters. The last surviving Dahamic Amazon died not so long ago, in 1979, on 100. This was a woman called Navi, which was discovered by the researchers in a remote village, and in the nineteenth century in the Amazon Corps served 6,000 female soldiers, the total army consisted of 25,000 people, ie the Amazons constituted about a third of the whole Nahome army.
Their history dates back to the 17th century. Scientists suggest that the Amazon Corps was originally formed for elephant hunting. But women managed to impress the Dahomey King so much that he made them their bodyguards. According to another theory, because the women were the only ones allowed to stay in the palace after sunset, it is quite natural that they were designated as the bodyguards of the king. The nightest, healthiest, and courageous women gathered in N Nonmiton, and then they made a training course during which they turned into real killers for murder that had been afraid of Africa for more than two centuries.
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, their corps became a fully-fledged military subdivision, unreservedly loyal to its king. The girls in N Nonmiton were recruited and gave them weapons at the age of 8. At first, she taught the Amazons to be strong, quick, ruthless, and withstand great pain.
Exercises that resembled a variety of gymnastics included jumping through walls covered with prickly acacia branches.
So also in preparation were expeditions in the jungle without equipment, with only one machete, which lasted for about 10 days.
In the battle, the Amazons of Dahomey fought to death - the foreign or their. Nonmiton women were not allowed to marry or give birth during their service as soldiers, and they were considered to be officially married to the King, but even he did not allow himself to break the vow of chastity. And if another man touched the Amazons, he was expecting a certain death, and despite the cruel training for many women, the soldier's life was a chance to escape the boredom they were doomed to in Dahomey society.
On entering N Nonmiton, women were given the opportunity to stand up on the social ladder of society, take up leadership positions and gain influence.