Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Warrior Woman: the Agoji of Benin [Western Africa]

Forgot to mention. It's with Lupita Nyong'o 

Lupita Nyong'o hosting the documentary Warrior Women

Dutch loves beautiful woman. Lupita Nyong'o is stunning. For some reason Dutch cannot say Mrs. Nyong'o is superb. Not sure why, some say it's not done. Doesn't alter the fact. Crazy world we live in where facts are no longer facts. Fact is, these days the OWK is a proper kingdom. Can't say that either? Huh? [2]

Lupita Nyong'o was born in Mexico City from Kenyan parents. She was raised in Kenya from the age of one. At age 16 her parents sent her to Mexico to learn Spanish. [Mrs. Nyong'o has dual citizenship.] After receiving her bachelor Mrs. Nyong'o enrolled in a master's degree program in acting at the Yale School of Drama. "Immediately after graduating from Yale, Nyong'o landed her breakthrough role when she was cast in the 2013 movie 12 Years a Slave." For which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Most people remember her best for her role in the 2018 edition of the forever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe. [Hard to keep track of, yes.] The movie is called Black Panther. In it the Dora Milaje are a team of women who serve as special forces for the fictional African nation of Wakanda. Nobody knows exactly where it is. No a surprise given the fact we all know Africa is a country - a huge one - just like Anne Frank is a Disney character. (C) (tm) (r) or something.

A year later she travels to Africa for this "immersive and epic documentary, Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o journeys across Benin in West Africa to uncover the remarkable truth about an army of female fighters." And yes I just copied Britain's Channel Four's press release. Turns out the fictional Black Panther's all-female special forces, the Dora Milaje are loosely based upon the very real Dahomey Amazons.

"The Dahomey Amazons were an all-female military regiment of the Kingdom of Dahomey which existed until 1904. They were so named by Western observers and historians due to their similarity to the mythical Amazons of ancient Anatolia and the Black Sea. This unusual emergence of an all-female military regiment was the result of Dahomey's male population facing high casualties in frequent warfare with neighboring West African states, as well as Dahomey being forced to annually give male slaves to the Oyo Empire. The lack of men likely led the kings of Dahomey to recruit women into the army." [Wikipedia]

Dutch has this weird habit of readings multiple books at the same time. And no, reading books in itself doesn't make you a weirdo. [11] After several years I'm halfway through The Fortunes of Africa: A 5000-Year History of Wealth, Greed, and Endeavor by Martin Meredith. Not that you have to read it, nor do I have to finish the book to understand that both the Agoji of Benin and Nzinga Mbandi - 17th Century Angolan Warrior Queen Who Forced the Portuguese to Their Knees - are just a small sample in a sea of plenty. Please remember OWK. Also remember it's never too late to repent.

Despite the fact Lupita Nyong'o is a gifted actress, who is passionate about her research and the Agoji are a fascinating topic, the result is somewhat of a let-down. Still it's worth watching. If you haven't seen it, better hurry, just search for 'Warrior Women with Lupita Nyong'o'.It's is available on demand on Channel 4 if you're in Britain. Or else check Youtube.

Yes OWK, I know you're not gonna watch, so let me repeat a suggestion from a while back. That whole kingdom thing is a bit awkward, we both agree. Let's be sensible about it and call it World of Goddess instead?

Hush, hush dear OWK owner. Just remember mistress is always right and she says I'm never wrong [666] so let's get on with it.

 

Jimmy Sax - Live at Nikki beach St Tropez (Opus - Eric Prydz) Click to listen. Think Nikki's opening for the season this weekend. Hello Summer!

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[1] Also remember the female Viking warriors I wrote about in 2014

[2] In case you're still fuming with righteous indignation [about me saying I like Lupita Nyong'o.] Let it all out. That's why they invented social media. Prove you are superior [by telling the world the truth about the women of Wakanda. You win. I loose.

[11] It's weirdo's who read books, not reading books that makes you a weirdo, which would be... Weird?

[12] If you think reading books is weird, try falling in love. Much, much weirder. Also much, much better. Trust me. You know you can because I read books.

[666] Are you really saying there's no right and wrong when it comes to love Dutch? You Dutch devil!

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