Intergenerational Impacts of the Dahomey Amazons

• In Event: Women and Institutions

Abstract

We study the effects of the “Dahomey Amazons”, a unique precolonial military institution, on the status of women in Benin. The Kingdom of Dahomey – precolonial Benin – boasted an all-female military regiment known as the Dahomey Amazons, or “Agodjiye”, the only documented frontline female troops in modern history. We examine how the existence of this singular institution affected the status of women, political and social attitudes towards and of women in Benin. We compare select outcomes such as education and income levels, and gender norms across villages with and without Amazon descendants. We find that Amazon's descendants are more educated, affluent and supportive of gender equity.

Author

• Leonard Wantchekon, Princeton