Amazons of black Sparta
Subtitle: the women warriors of Dahomey
By: Stanley B. Alpern.
Publisher: New York University Press
Published: 1998
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 280
Subjects: Women soldiers -- Benin -- History -- 19th century; Women, Fon; Benin -- History, Military -- 19th century
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 262-271) and index.
Table of contents: title: A mock battle -- Origins of Dahomey -- Origins of the Amazons. The elephant huntress -- The royal twins -- Policewoman to soldieress? -- Guards of king and palace -- As troops -- Why Dahomey? -- Recruitment -- Celibacy -- A privileged life -- What they wore. Ornaments and charms -- Their weapons. Accoutrements -- How many Amazons? -- Where They Lived. Tononu and Kangbode -- Military training. Physical education -- Insensitivity training -- Building esprit de corps. Dance, song and music making --  What they sang -- Symbols and rewards -- Alcohol and tobacco -- Earning a living -- Making war. Spies and diviners -- Mobilization -- Order of battle -- Surprising the enemy -- Food and shelter -- The attack -- Amazons in combat -- Casualties and captives -- Early Amazon battles -- Abeokuta 1851 -- Abeokuta 1864 -- Years of success -- France vs. Dahomey, 1890 -- France vs. Dahomey, 1892 -- Epilogue.