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"The woman king" is meant to be based on true life events but is filled with many historical inaccuracies.
Portraying King Ghezo and his Agojie (Amazons) as being in opposition to the Slave trade is like portraying Hitler as a protector of the Jews from persecution.
Portraying King Ghezo and his Agojie (Amazons) as being in opposition to the Slave trade is like portraying Hitler as a protector of the Jews from persecution.
The Dahomey Kingdom didn't just profit and get rich from it,they opposed its abolishment.
They (alongside Brazil's slaver De Sousa) resisted Britain's efforts to abolish the slave trade.
The Agojie played a critical role in the capture and transportation of slaves for sale.
They (alongside Brazil's slaver De Sousa) resisted Britain's efforts to abolish the slave trade.
The Agojie played a critical role in the capture and transportation of slaves for sale.
When the British kept pressuring King Ghezo to end the slave trade, he told them to pay him reparations for the loss of income from slavery. Just like Caribbean slave owners were paid reparations. When they refused, he continued Dahomey's involvement in the slave trade.
King Ghezo himself attacked Egba land, captured the daughter of their King and turned her into a court slave.
He later "gifted" this Princess to a British naval officer who in turn gifted the Princess to Queen Victoria.
The Princess was later renamed "Sara Forbes Bonetta"
He later "gifted" this Princess to a British naval officer who in turn gifted the Princess to Queen Victoria.
The Princess was later renamed "Sara Forbes Bonetta"
Google search "Sara Forbes Bonetta." Find out which Dahomey King raided her village and captured her as slave.
And the main fighting force of the Dahomey army was not even the Agojie. The Agojie played a mop-up role. Capturing and transporting slaves from conquered villages.
And the main fighting force of the Dahomey army was not even the Agojie. The Agojie played a mop-up role. Capturing and transporting slaves from conquered villages.
Even Abeokuta was founded as a mountain hideout for those running away from Dahomey slavers
When King Ghezo could no longer source slaves from other kingdoms/tribes through military conquest,he started selling his own people of Dahomey into slavery.
How is such a person a hero?
When King Ghezo could no longer source slaves from other kingdoms/tribes through military conquest,he started selling his own people of Dahomey into slavery.
How is such a person a hero?
Just to add:
One of the greatest slave traders in the West African coast,FΓ©lix de Souza, has a museum, a statue and a plaza dedicated to him in Ouidah, the slave Port City the Dahomey Kingdom.
De Souza helped King Ghezo come into power. They were partners in the slave trade.
One of the greatest slave traders in the West African coast,FΓ©lix de Souza, has a museum, a statue and a plaza dedicated to him in Ouidah, the slave Port City the Dahomey Kingdom.
De Souza helped King Ghezo come into power. They were partners in the slave trade.
You can visit Ouidah today (I visited in 2016) and his family (descendents) are still an influential, title-holding families in today's Benin Republic.
De Souza kept journals. The Dahomey court sent letters to their slave-trading partners in Portugal and Brazil. For reference
De Souza kept journals. The Dahomey court sent letters to their slave-trading partners in Portugal and Brazil. For reference
For those worried about source: Some Africans who were sold into slavery later became literate and told their stories; the Ayuba Diallos, freed slaves of Freetown/Liberia etc
I am sure Sara Forbes Bonetta (Aina) will cry blood seeing King Ghezo and his Agojie portrayed as heroes
I am sure Sara Forbes Bonetta (Aina) will cry blood seeing King Ghezo and his Agojie portrayed as heroes
Just another interesting fact:
Dr. Stella Adadevoh is a great grand daughter of Sara Forbes Bonetta, the Princess of Egba who was captured by King Ghezo's soldiers and turned into a slave.
I have come across the Twitter account of another of her descendent. Can't remember the @
Dr. Stella Adadevoh is a great grand daughter of Sara Forbes Bonetta, the Princess of Egba who was captured by King Ghezo's soldiers and turned into a slave.
I have come across the Twitter account of another of her descendent. Can't remember the @
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