Cotonou’s towering 100-foot (30-meter) Amazon statue is a tribute to the legendary all-female warriors of Dahomey, a former West African kingdom now part of southern Benin. 

These women, celebrated by some as fierce defenders and condemned by others as brutal raiders, formed an all-female army from the 17th century until the late 19th century.

From elephant hunters to battle-hardened soldiers, their origins remain shrouded in myth, but their impact is undeniable. Under Queen Tassi Hangbe’s leadership in the 18th century, the female warriors defied patriarchal norms to become a fearsome force, which was later formalized under King Gezo in the 19th century.

The statue, created by Chinese sculptor Li Xiangqun, is a bronze reminder of the warriors’ motto, “Win or Die.”

Today, the monument not only draws tourists but sparks a dialogue about women’s roles in history.