"Abyssinian Amazons? Would Dahomey figures work?" Topic

I was browsing 19th Century Ethiopian Abyssinian battles, and came across a reference to Abyssinian Amazons.
Well, that intrigued me. My friend Jim Bis has a nice collection of Italians and Abyssinians. We played an "800 Fighting Englishmen" not-Adowa game tonight.
So we're discussing how to improve the scenario and general period.
I suggested Napier's Magdala expedition. Flashman geek. 🤷 What can I say? Jim coincidentally has nice British in India figures, including Sikhs.
We also discussed "improvements" to the Ab army.
But I came across references to both Ethiopian rebels, and Amazons. Well!

Would Dahomey Amazons be "appropriate"? I doubt very much that anyone makes specific Abyssinian Amazons. But these have African women with rifles.
I'm working up a Gringos40 order, since I need more Texas Rangers and Comanche.
Dixon also look good.
Are there any others? I think a unit of 12 would be sufficiently exotic and the right size.

So, I'm looking for comments. Disapproval will not affect me. 🙄 😄 Thoughts?

Gringo 40s Amazon's have Winchester and Henry repeater rifles which are probably a little bit modern for using against the British in 1867 possibly okay against the Italians though. Only stuff I've seen on Abyssinian women fighting is against the Italians in the 1930s.

Dixon do some Dahomey women with Muskets that might work better for the British invasion alternatively Foundry do spear armed warrior women, in their darkest Africa range, but with those you get naked boobs if that bothers you.

link

I play with Plains Indians armed with everything from muskets to "modern" contemporary weapons, like rifles.
When I game, their weapon is what I say it is. It's scenario driven. Bows, tomahawks and coup sticks are also scenario driven.

If you want plain old spears Hasselfree has a few Nubian figs that might work

link

They are not exactly cheap though

John@ fair enough your game your rules you asked for comment I gave it.

19th century colonial Africa is my Jam I'm not equipping my WaYao with anything other than trade muskets my AwbBemba aren't going to to been seen with a Snider (unless find evidence they had some). My British central African rifles won't get a Martini until 1899. Those things are important to me but if someone else wants to stick space marines on the table and call them Ngoni, Imperial guard grenadiers or Roman legionaries all power to them.

No problem. I see your point completely.
But consider the economics of buying Comanche figures. My intent is to have as many DIFFERENT figures as possible. Simply because there is no such thing as a Comanche "uniform".
There may be subtle differences, but to me they don't show up in 25/28mm figures. YMMV.
So, if the figure "looks right" the exact pedigree of the firearm is irrelevant.

As for bare boobs, one of my friends who is a far better painter than I am has admired the dedication I have to painting cleavage. I'm not a fanatic, like some examples that Tango01 posts, but I do my best.

Right now, I'm only thinking about getting Abyssinian Amazons. It's been less than 24 hours since the first thought came to me, and I wouldn't need more than 12.

Not to mention that it was a throwaway Wikipedia sentence, and Dahomey and Ethiopia are hundreds of miles apart.
That's my only reference. If you can confirm their existence, it would be appreciated.

By the way, I think it should be obvious from this that I am not one of the enlightened saintly "simulationists".
Instead, I am one of those despicable people who only plays "fun games". Please forgive me!

John (et al),

While I share your fondness for "diversity" in figures on the table, it's preferential if they at least be part of the historical mix.

That said, let me assure you, Dahomeyan "amazons" (Agojie) would be as different from Abyssinians as Hademdowah would be for Natal Native Contingent.

Not just in dress, but armament, too. Agojie didn't use spears or shields at all (despite some contemporary illos that suggest so), their actual uniforms would not work for Abyssinia.

I've learned this (and tons more) while researching "On To Abomey!" which should still be ready for publication early next year. Indeed, just last night the draft of the First Franco-Dahomeyan War was finished and work on the Second War begins more or less immediately.

Finally, in a shamefully self serving plug, do you have a copy of the Abyssinian Resource Supplement? It may prove helpful, not least because its tactics, weapons and organization info is geared for TSATF. It's available cheap at the bottom of this TVAG Page: link

Cheers!

TVAG

Bless me Father, I have not yet sinned but merely thought about it!

This thought is still less than 24 hours old!
If you will be coming out with 25/28mm Abyssinian "Amazons" in the future, I'll pass the information on to Jim.

Fun games? What is this of which you speak?

It's a heresy that the Inquisition is going after me for. My Canon Lawyer has advised me to keep silent about until a Bull is issued, one way or another. 🤷

No, no plans to produce anything in 28mm for the Dahomeyans, but 15mm…?

Meanwhile, "BULL!," indeed!

TVAG

Well, I'm after Abyssinians. Not Dahomey. 🤷
Anyone? Beuler?

Best I can find woman fighting the Italians 1930s look like they are just dressed like the men. Maybe find some earlier Abbysinian fighters and putty on some tasteful (or not your choice) boobs.