The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-12-03
HOW THE AMAZONS FIGHT.
The Female Warriors of the African King
of Dahomey.

For hundreds of years the world
has known that a body of female war
riors surrounded the king of Dahomey
and did terrible execution in his wars.
OF all the troops on the west coast of
Africa the amazons of Dahomey, so all
reports agreed, were the most daring,
the most faithful, and the most to be
dreaded by any foe. The rumors which
told of their proves were, neverthe-
less, too vague to throw much light
upon the manner of their fighting, their
num- Der, or their military organization,
and, until recently, for long time al
most nothing had been heard of them.
Within the last few months, however,
the mystery surrounding the amazons
of Dahomey has been largely dispelled
by the German explorers who are aid
ing German colonization schemes in
West Africa Or. Zoller, one of these
explorers, is acting as correspondent
of German paper, and in a recent let
ter he records Ills observations in the
land of the amazons. the German ex-
plorer did not visit Abome, the capital
of Dahomey, but at Whydah he found
the semi-royal court of a Portuguese
half breed. Julians de soma, and this
potentate rejoices in the possession of
corps of alnazons, all of whom have
served in the army of the king of Da-
honey. At Whydah there are only
sixty of these female warriors. and at
Apome possibly as many as six thous-
and, but the smaller force does just as
well for purposes of study as the
larger. DR.. Zoller found these picked
amazons strong, slender young women,
who were at once coquettish and war
like in their movements and appear
ance. They were models of training
and endurance, and danced tireiessly,
with military precision, in all their
stage drill. In short, they were their
masters corps de ballet. They marched
just at dusk into the open space in
front OF De Sonsa's house, and there,
by the light of torches borne before
them, they entertained multitude of
spectators for hours with songs, dances.
and dashing military evolutions. Of
the accouterments of the amazons
DR.. Zoller says:
Their picturesque uniform might fur
nish our masters of the ballet with
fresh ideas. The fresh young faces
look roguishly from under the white
brimless yokeycap ornamented with
black pictures of animals, such as liz
ards, birds, and others The feet are
bare; short knickerbocKers of green,
red, and yellow material come down
nearly to the knees, and a bright-col-
ored tunic or striped silk or velvet,
which leaves only the neck and arms
free, covers the upper part of the body,
which is supported by corsets of ma
tive manufacture. A broad belt of
many colors heightens the slim APP
pearance of the female warriors. At
the left side of the belt short sword
is fastened, and a small cartridge peck
ct in front. A scarf of white or light
green silk is worn like Scotch plaid.
The armament consists OF swords, bat
tle-aXes and guns, which latter are put
aside during the dance.
These picturesque young women, all
between the ages OF eighteen and TWEEN
ty-fve, were led by tall and elderly
woman, one of De Sonza's wives. They
have no separate barracks, but live in
the various parts Of the town, and
gather when called out for service on
the stage. In Whydah this is the only
fact, in part, DR.. Zoller argues that the
amazons OF Dahomey proper are also
dancers. He points ouI, moreover
that the whole 5000 of them are nomi-
naily the wives OF Inc king, and thinks
that the fact that they accompany their
lord in ali his wars does not prove that
they do any lighting. Such 4 conc.u-
sion is characteristic of an unimagina-
tive, sobel-mindcd German explorer,
but Dir. Zoiler's own words afford a
sufficient explanation OF the apparent
| lack OF harmony between his observa-
| tons and the traditions OF ;tmazonian
prowess in battle. He coufcsses that
he was fascinated by the elegant play
OF the bare. round arms OF the Nhydan
amaZons, and sat for hours delighted
with their performance He is careful
to insist that they are still womanly in
appearance and ridicules the story
that, like the NEUROLOGICAL amazons of
the Greeks, they cut off their breasts
In fact, it is clear that DR.. Zoller was
not little affected by these charming
warriors, and how much more they
must demoralize susceptible savages of
their own race and color? No marvel
the kind Of Dahomey finds Il few thous-
ands OF them wonderfully effective
body guard. Imagine a victorious enc
my. weary with slaughter, coming sud-
denly into the presence of thousands of
ballet-dancers going through intricate
evolutions and hiding their king behind
a maze of bright colors and comeIy
figures.
The sternest warriors would fain stop
to watch the novel and fascinating
spectacle before them, forgetting war
duty, and everything in the pleasure
OF the moment. Soon they would be
utterly demoralized by roguish chances,
aud thrown into hopeless confusion by
the playful charges OF the pretty young
amaZonS. The rear soldiers OF Daho-
mey would have time to rally again,
and, when their conquerors were thor
oughIy intoxicated with delight, and
lulied into false security, they might
tall upon them unawares and take a
terrible revenge Tor the temporary de-
feat just endured 1t must be in this
way that the amazons have gained the
name OF being great warriors. They
undoubtedly attack the eyes and hearts
OF their soyerelgl'S enemies, and lure
them to destruction with their siren
songs. thus bringing into play the CO.
quettish graces, The gorgeous uniforms
and fascinating presence observed at
Whydah. For actual bioodshed, ugly
old crones, soured and forbidding,
would naturally be chosen rather than
fair young women, too comely for any
savage monarch TO expose to death
and the hardships of battle. If the
amazons fought with daggers and guns
they would carry shields instead Of
wearing corsets, and in place of tune
fui songs they would practice savage
cries, calculated to albright rather than
charm the enemy. OBVIOUSLY, that is
not the way they fight. and yet We
have the cumulative testimony of hum
dreds OF years of rumors and legends,
that they do bring ruin to the enemies
OF Dahomey. Only the conclusion we
have reached remains. The amazons
fight, but fight ia a woman's way-the
most terrible known to mankind.-
CteUeIdnd Leader