Written by: B.K. The Writer
The Real Woman King “Dahomey to the Haitian Revolution”
Written By: BK The Writer
With the recent movie “The Woman King” out in theaters, it’s important to know the non- Hollywood version of the main characters true story. Adbaraya Toya is celebrated for the role she played in the Haitian Revolution. She was a high-ranking soldier in the “Mino;” better known as “The Dahomey Amazons,” before she was dragged into oppressive conditions.
Adbaraya Toya was originally abducted from The Kingdom of Dahomey while serving as a high-ranking soldier, which today would be considered modern-day Benin. The Dahomey warriors protected the King and his royal court while also serving as healers and mother figures to all. Adbaraya Toya most likely was Abducted during battle and sold into slavery in Haiti. While there, she was known as Victoria Montou, a name given to her by her slave master. Adbaraya Toya worked on a Sugar Plantation in servitude after she was abducted where she became friends with Maria Elisabeth (possibly her sister,) the mother of Jean Jacques Dessalines.
Other sources claim Jean and Adbaraya were blood related because he referred to Adbaraya Toya as Aunty. Adbaraya Toya taught Jean Jacques Dessalines how to fight as a soldier, hand to hand combat, and weapons training. They also taught other slaves to prepare them to seize the country of Haiti from the French. Jean Jacques Dessalines advanced among the enslaved on the plantation and he eventually became the leader of the 1791 slave rebellion. After Adbaraya Toya became free, Jean Jacques made her leader of the military. In her last Prolific battle, she fought off three soldiers and was seriously wounded, but lived long enough to witness Jean Jacques proclaim Haiti’s independence…