The true story of the Agojie, the elite female warriors of the Dahomey kingdom
In short: The Woman King brings to life the Agojie, a formidable all-female military unit from the West African kingdom of Dahomey. While the film captures their legendary ferocity and strength, it takes significant creative liberties with history, blending real political figures with a fictionalized narrative about the transatlantic slave trade.
At their peak during the 1840s, the Agojie were a 6,000-strong force renowned for their combat prowess. European observers famously dubbed them Amazons, drawing parallels to the mythical Greek warriors. These soldiers were not merely fighters; they were legally considered wives of the king, known as ahosi. Their military success was central to Dahomey’s regional dominance, as they conducted raids that secured captives and trophies of war for their monarch.
The film centers on King Ghezo, who reigned from 1818 to 1858, and his son Glele, who ruled from 1858 to 1889. Historians view this period as a golden age of economic and political power for the kingdom. In reality, Dahomey was deeply entrenched in the slave trade for generations, serving as a primary supplier for European merchants between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. While the film depicts the Agojie as active opponents of this system, scholars note that these women were integral participants in a complex and often brutal state apparatus.
The production of the film itself was a multi-year struggle. Producer Maria Bello conceived the project after a 2015 visit to Benin, yet faced repeated rejections from Hollywood studios skeptical of a historical epic led by dark-skinned women. Director Gina Prince-Bythewood and star Viola Davis eventually brought the story to the screen, framing it as a tale of empowerment. While the film’s portrayal of the Agojie as critics of the slave trade is a compelling narrative choice, it remains a point of historical contention, as the real warriors were deeply embedded in the kingdom's reliance on human trafficking.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Real Warriors Behind 'The Woman King'
- Also: The Woman King
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