Dahomean sword of Amazon warriors

Jim McDougall · Today, 03:53 AM

In West African Dahomey (now Benin) there were forces of female warriors called 'Amazons' by Europeans but in the Fon language there, they were 'ahosi' (kings warriors) or 'mino' (=our mothers). They had long existed as groups of elephant hunters, but under King Ghezo (1818-1858) he formed them into military units.

With French incursions and presence, I have seen swords virtually identical to this example from a museum in Belgium, collected by a French officer c.1856 with identical linear design on blade. This form is one of several of these swords which are termed 'HWI' ("African Arms and Armor" , Christopher Spring, 1993; "Sabres Decores du Dahomey", by Palau Marti , "Objets ert Mondes" Vol. VII;4, 1967 .

Sir Richard Burton as consul in Guinea 1861-64 wrote on Dahomey in "A Mission to Gelele, King of Dahomey" (1864).
These female forces were active through the Franco-Dahomean war (1890) where they proved formidable in battle, though defeated and disbanded in 1894 with the French Protectorate. They continued secretly as subversives well into 20th c.

What prompted my writing on this example which I have owned about 30 years, is a current article in Heritage magazine;
"Scientists Just Discovered the Secrets of the Ornate Swords Once Made in West Africas Storied Kingdom of Dahomey".by Austin Harvey.

In this it is noted that these blades had been thought to have been European made, however the metal in some were tested scientifically revealing the sources from Bassar (Togo); Sweden; Ruhr Valley and Brazil. While the forgong processes appear to have varied, they were all unique.

Changdao · Today, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

In West African Dahomey (now Benin) there were forces of female warriors called 'Amazons' by Europeans but in the Fon language there, they were 'ahosi' (kings warriors) or 'mino' (=our mothers). They had long existed as groups of elephant hunters, but under King Ghezo (1818-1858) he formed them into military units.

With French incursions and presence, I have seen swords virtually identical to this example from a museum in Belgium, collected by a French officer c.1856 with identical linear design on blade. This form is one of several of these swords which are termed 'HWI' ("African Arms and Armor" , Christopher Spring, 1993; "Sabres Decores du Dahomey", by Palau Marti , "Objets ert Mondes" Vol. VII;4, 1967 .

Sir Richard Burton as consul in Guinea 1861-64 wrote on Dahomey in "A Mission to Gelele, King of Dahomey" (1864).
These female forces were active through the Franco-Dahomean war (1890) where they proved formidable in battle, though defeated and disbanded in 1894 with the French Protectorate. They continued secretly as subversives well into 20th c.

What prompted my writing on this example which I have owned about 30 years, is a current article in Heritage magazine;
"Scientists Just Discovered the Secrets of the Ornate Swords Once Made in West Africas Storied Kingdom of Dahomey".by Austin Harvey.

In this it is noted that these blades had been thought to have been European made, however the metal in some were tested scientifically revealing the sources from Bassar (Togo); Sweden; Ruhr Valley and Brazil. While the forgong processes appear to have varied, they were all unique.

Very nice sword.

Regarding the finds of the article, they are not surprising. I believe many have been way too eager to identify any decent-looking blade in an African sword as European made, even when such blades are of a very different kind to anything manufactured for export in Europe. These people had known how to work with metals for thousands of years, and, as everywhere, a range of quality would have been produced.

Jim McDougall · Today, 03:04 PM

Thank you Changdao!
Its funny, my son and I were just talking about the colonial era, and how the Europeans regarded the native peoples as 'savages', I think more toward the differences of course in religion and culture obviously. The notion that the natives were not 'advanced' enough to forge metal etc.was patently ridiculous, as you point out, and ironically (no pun intended) much of the abstracts of such knowledge became the basis for the advances in the Middle East and Asia.

The note on ranges of quality, and the variations in metal content, like those of the actual weapon form and elements, depended much on the local preferences and requirements as well as skills of the smiths. The evolving use of European blades was far more a matter of convenience in the colonial progression than any inadequacy of African blades.

The reason I posted this is partly from a 'bucket list' standpoint as I go through items collected over many years, and while much research has transpired on most......it is virtually a new world with expanded horizons in available material, resources and collective knowledge.
I hope to bring some of these examples into the light in hopes of others out there reading who have also studied in these areas to bring in examples, comparisons and add comments on these areas of history.

Pertinax · Today, 06:03 PM

Beautiful sword Jim! Unfortunately, I have nothing from Dahomey yet.

Here is a selection of photos of these "gentle" girls.

Jim McDougall · Today, 07:55 PM

Thank you Yuri!
These women warriors evolved into formidable force. As 'gently' noted

their battle activity was intense, and many were lost, but at notable cost to the French or any other enemy force.
It seems the 'hwi' existed in various forms of similar composure, but this form appears to have been seen often in around 1850s-90s.

What intrigues me as always are the markings, such as the wavy lines on my example. With the presence of course of the tribal religion, Vodun, I wonder how much of these kinds of markings while aesthetic may have also had deeper symbolism.

Today, 03:53 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,292	Dahomean sword of Amazon warriors In West African Dahomey (now Benin) there were forces of female warriors called 'Amazons' by Europeans but in the Fon language there, they were 'ahosi' (kings warriors) or 'mino' (=our mothers). They had long existed as groups of elephant hunters, but under King Ghezo (1818-1858) he formed them into military units. With French incursions and presence, I have seen swords virtually identical to this example from a museum in Belgium, collected by a French officer c.1856 with identical linear design on blade. This form is one of several of these swords which are termed 'HWI' ("African Arms and Armor" , Christopher Spring, 1993; "Sabres Decores du Dahomey", by Palau Marti , "Objets ert Mondes" Vol. VII;4, 1967 . Sir Richard Burton as consul in Guinea 1861-64 wrote on Dahomey in "A Mission to Gelele, King of Dahomey" (1864). These female forces were active through the Franco-Dahomean war (1890) where they proved formidable in battle, though defeated and disbanded in 1894 with the French Protectorate. They continued secretly as subversives well into 20th c. What prompted my writing on this example which I have owned about 30 years, is a current article in Heritage magazine; "Scientists Just Discovered the Secrets of the Ornate Swords Once Made in West Africas Storied Kingdom of Dahomey".by Austin Harvey. In this it is noted that these blades had been thought to have been European made, however the metal in some were tested scientifically revealing the sources from Bassar (Togo); Sweden; Ruhr Valley and Brazil. While the forgong processes appear to have varied, they were all unique. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; Today at 04:10 AM.

Today, 06:03 PM	#4
Pertinax Member Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: City by the Black Sea Posts: 245	Beautiful sword Jim! Unfortunately, I have nothing from Dahomey yet. Here is a selection of photos of these "gentle" girls. Attached Images

Today, 03:04 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,292	Thank you Changdao! Its funny, my son and I were just talking about the colonial era, and how the Europeans regarded the native peoples as 'savages', I think more toward the differences of course in religion and culture obviously. The notion that the natives were not 'advanced' enough to forge metal etc.was patently ridiculous, as you point out, and ironically (no pun intended) much of the abstracts of such knowledge became the basis for the advances in the Middle East and Asia. The note on ranges of quality, and the variations in metal content, like those of the actual weapon form and elements, depended much on the local preferences and requirements as well as skills of the smiths. The evolving use of European blades was far more a matter of convenience in the colonial progression than any inadequacy of African blades. The reason I posted this is partly from a 'bucket list' standpoint as I go through items collected over many years, and while much research has transpired on most......it is virtually a new world with expanded horizons in available material, resources and collective knowledge. I hope to bring some of these examples into the light in hopes of others out there reading who have also studied in these areas to bring in examples, comparisons and add comments on these areas of history.

Today, 07:55 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,292	Thank you Yuri! These women warriors evolved into formidable force. As 'gently' noted their battle activity was intense, and many were lost, but at notable cost to the French or any other enemy force. It seems the 'hwi' existed in various forms of similar composure, but this form appears to have been seen often in around 1850s-90s. What intrigues me as always are the markings, such as the wavy lines on my example. With the presence of course of the tribal religion, Vodun, I wonder how much of these kinds of markings while aesthetic may have also had deeper symbolism.