WOMAN KING
The Woman King isn't just a film. It's a fiery narrative of valor, culture, and women refusing to play sidekick to history. Centered on the incredible story of the Agojie an all-female warrior regiment of the Kingdom of Dahomey it throws a spear right through conventional portrayals of women in warfare.
Starring Viola Davis as General Nanisca, the movie brings thunderous energy to the screen. But let’s dive deeper into the combat regalia worn by fierce female warriors from various corners of the globe.
DAHOMEY: QUEENS OF THE SPEAR
The African Kingdom of Dahomey, now present-day Benin, was home to one of the most legendary all-female military regiments: the Agojie. These warriors didn't just guard the palace they stormed into battle.
AGOJIE BATTLE GEAR
| Gear Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Headwraps | Symbolic of status; often dyed with indigo or crimson |
| Chest Armor | Reinforced leather or hardened fabric; allowed agility and protection |
| Weapons | Short spears, machetes, muskets from European trade |
| Footwear | Sandals for mobility or barefoot in ritual combat |
These fierce women warriors trained in bush warfare, hand-to-hand combat, and strategy. The Woman King captures this with raw cinematic force, thanks to Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, and Lashana Lynch.
WARRIOR WOMEN FROM OTHER NATIONS
From the sands of Africa to the fjords of Scandinavia, female warriors have consistently defied the patriarchal mold.
LEGENDARY MILITARY QUEENS
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Joan of Arc (France): The teen peasant turned divine war commander donned male armor and rode into battle.
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Tomoe Gozen (Japan): An elegant yet brutal samurai whose archery and swordplay were unmatched.
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Boudicca (Britain): The rebel queen who scorched Roman settlements in revenge.
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Hangbe (Dahomey): Predecessor to the Agojie, and possibly their spiritual founder.
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Yaa Asantewaa (Ghana): A West African queen who led a rebellion against British colonization.
TRUE STORY: FICTION MEETS FACT
The Woman King walks a tightrope between epic poetry and brutal truth. Was everything accurate? Not quite. But it delivers emotional accuracy and pays homage to unsung African heroines.
REALITY CHECK
| Fictional Element | Historical Basis |
|---|---|
| General Nanisca | Inspired by real figures, but not a singular historical person |
| King Ghezo's anti-slavery shift | Some truth; Ghezo did pivot toward palm oil over slave trade under pressure |
| European antagonists | Composite of Portuguese, British, and French slave traders |
| Nawi's character | Possibly inspired by the last known Agojie survivor, who died in 1979 |
VIOLA DAVIS: THE QUEEN WHO TRAINED LIKE A WARRIOR
Viola Davis didn’t just act; she transformed. The Oscar-winner underwent intense strength training, martial arts bootcamps, and weapon mastery. Her General Nanisca radiates grit, age-earned wisdom, and tactical brilliance.
And if you think her performance was all bravado? Think again. She channels the exhaustion and trauma of a life of combat while maintaining a mother-like fierceness over her troops. Not just a warrior a leader.
FEMALE WARRIORS ACROSS TIME & CONTINENTS
A quick glance through global history reveals that the Agojie were not alone. Across continents, warrior queens and female regiments have shattered gender norms.
WOMEN WARRIORS: ACROSS THE WORLD
| Region | Name/Group | Notable Era | Combat Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Africa | Agojie, Yaa Asantewaa | 17th-19th Century | Guerrilla, Bush Warfare |
| Europe | Joan of Arc, Boudicca | 1st & 15th Centuries | Infantry, Heavy Cavalry |
| Asia | Tomoe Gozen, Trung Sisters | 12th Century, AD 40 | Swordplay, Elephant War |
| South America | Indigenous female warriors | Colonial Era | Spear, Ambush Combat |
| North America | Native American women in battle | 18th Century | Bow, Axe, Strategic Raids |
KINGDOM: THE POWER & THE PAIN
The Kingdom of Dahomey wasn’t just a military force. It was a complex society balancing progress and pain. Under King Ghezo, Dahomey grew wealthy through the Atlantic slave trade trading captives for weapons with Europeans.
This same power structure allowed the Agojie to rise. Ironically, the kingdom's glory was tied to human suffering. Colonialism and the rise of palm oil trade eventually shifted its economic priorities.
WEST AFRICAN MILITARY CULTURE
The Oyo Empire, Benin, and Dahomey had distinct military traditions. In West Africa, ritual, dance, and religion blended into warfare preparation.
WAR PREP IN WEST AFRICA
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War Chants: Boost morale, invoke ancestral power
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Sacrifices: Seen as unlocking spiritual favor (not universally practiced)
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Dance Combat: Simulated battle through choreography
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Oracles: Consulted before engaging enemies
The Agojie incorporated these, merging ceremony with steel.
BEHIND THE WOMAN KING: THE MAKING
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the movie shattered Hollywood’s stale formulas. Gina took inspiration from documentaries, oral history, and African scholars.
She recruited historians, dialect coaches, and cultural consultants. This wasn’t just Hollywood flair; it was a reclamation of African storytelling.
GINA PRINCE-BYTHEWOOD: THE DIRECTOR WHO DEFIED GENRE
Gina didn’t just direct she defied a studio system reluctant to back female-led historical epics. With support from Viola Davis and John Boyega, she ensured authenticity.
She told journalists: “This was a war film. This was a love letter to Black women.” Enough said.
BASED ON A TRUE STORY: MYTHS & MEMORIES
Every epic holds grains of truth. And grains of myth. The Dahomey Amazons have been framed as feminist icons, brutal enforcers, and proto-nationalist heroes.
In truth? They were all that and more.
Their legacy endures in:
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Statues in Benin
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Documentaries and museum exhibits
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Marvel’s Dora Milaje from Black Panther, inspired directly by them
DORA MILAJE & THE MARVEL MIRROR
When Thuso Mbedu and Lashana Lynch moved across the screen, many fans whispered: "This feels like Black Panther." Not a coincidence.
The Dora Milaje, Wakanda’s female royal guard, were modeled on the Agojie. Strength, honor, and discipline modern superheroes with ancestral echoes.
Asian Warrior Women and Their Battle Dress
Japan's onna-bugeisha and China's female generals developed fighting styles and attire suited to their respective cultural contexts:
| Region | Warrior Class | Distinctive Attire | Weapons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | Onna-bugeisha | Modified hakama for mobility, with protective chest bindings | Naginata (pole weapon), kaiken (dagger) |
| China | Women generals of various dynasties | Modified armor with silk undergarments, often disguised as male officers | Sword, bow, specialized female weapons like the emei piercers |
| Vietnam | Trung Sisters' army | Lightweight armor with distinctive yellow headscarves | Bamboo poles, traditional Vietnamese weaponry |
FAQ: THE WOMAN KING & THE WARRIOR LEGACY
How historically accurate is "The Woman King"?
The film captures many authentic elements of the Agojie, including their training methods, distinctive fighting style, and cultural significance within Dahomey. However, it takes significant creative liberties, particularly regarding General Nanisca's opposition to the slave trade. Historically, the Agojie participated in slave-raiding expeditions, though individual warriors may have held varying opinions about the practice.
Were the Agojie truly undefeated before European colonization?
No, historical records indicate the Agojie suffered defeats, particularly against the Oyo Empire, which maintained dominance over Dahomey for many years. Their final major defeat came against French colonial forces in the 1890s, ending their military significance.
Did women warriors have to remain celibate like the Agojie?
Not universally. While the Agojie were forbidden from marriage and sexual relationships with men (technically considered wives of the king), other warrior women traditions had different rules. Norse shield-maidens could marry, as could many Celtic female warriors.
How were the Agojie recruited?
Various pathways existed:
- Volunteers from families seeking royal connections
- Women offered by villages as tribute
- Wives who experienced domestic abuse seeking refuge
- Captives from military campaigns
- Women who simply desired the status and independence
What weapons were most associated with the Agojie?
The Agojie became particularly known for their proficiency with:
- Straight razors used for close combat
- Short swords and machetes
- Muskets (in later periods)
- Clubs designed to incapacitate for capture
Did the Agojie influence other African military traditions?
Their influence appears in several neighboring kingdoms, with female units appearing in various West African states, though none achieved the size or reputation of the Dahomey warriors.
How did Viola Davis prepare for her role as General Nanisca?
Davis underwent extensive physical training, including weight lifting and martial arts. She studied historical accounts and worked with cultural consultants to authentically portray Agojie mannerisms and fighting techniques.
Were there any surviving Agojie into the modern era?
Yes, the last known survivor, a woman named Nawi, died in 1979, claiming to have fought against the French in the 1890s. Her advanced age at death (well over 100) makes this claim plausible though difficult to verify conclusively.
How did European accounts describe the Agojie?
European visitors typically expressed surprise and sometimes admiration mixed with colonial condescension. Many accounts note their discipline, fearlessness, and physical capabilities while framing them as "curiosities" or "Amazons" rather than recognizing their military professionalism.
What happened to the Agojie after Dahomey's defeat?
After French colonization, the regiment was disbanded. Some former warriors became part of ceremonial units, while others returned to civilian life. Their military knowledge was largely lost, though oral traditions preserved aspects of their training methods and cultural significance.
COMBAT QUEENS NEVER DIE
The Woman King isn’t just a movie it’s a revolution. It reminds us that history has too often silenced its queens. But no more.
"The Woman King" brings deserved attention to the remarkable Agojie, though their true legacy encompasses both inspiring strength and troubling historical complexities. By examining women warriors across cultures and time periods, we gain a more complete understanding of how combat roles have never been exclusively male territory.
From the African kingdom of Dahomey to Hollywood’s golden stage, women warriors are finally getting their due. Whether wielding a spear or a script, these legends are rewriting what power looks like.
Long live the queens. Long live the warrior.
