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The “amazons” of Dahomey (today’s Benin) in west Africa have been world famous since the 1700s, when explorers and traders first encountered these fierce women warriors. In recent years their rise in popular culture has continued: they inspired the women warriors of the film Black Panther. With the release of a new film called The Woman King, starring Viola Davis and Thuso Mbedu, they are riding a new wave of historical recognition. But what’s the real story behind the warriors? Anthropologist Dominique Somda, who grew up in Benin, shares the history.
Somalia is on the verge of famine. More than 7 million people — half the country — are in need of food assistance. The problem is, not everyone will receive it. Nisar Majid, who has studied the humanitarian response to Somalia’s past famines, reveals that there are clans and minority communities that have previously been excluded from help. This is because the humanitarian sector mirrors broader structural inequalities and power dynamics in Somalia. He’s
concerned that they’re going to be “forgotten” once again.
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Dominique Somda, University of Cape Town
From Lovecraft Country to Black Panther to a statue in Benin, the “amazons” of Dahomey continue to trend in global popular culture.
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Nisar Majid, London School of Economics and Political Science
Millions of Somalis are in urgent need of aid. But not enough is being done to reach marginalised groups.
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XN Iraki, University of Nairobi
Kenya’s new president campaigned on economic promises, but meeting them won’t be easy or instant.
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Olasunkanmi Habeeb Okunola, University of the Witwatersrand
Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital city, is notorious for frequent building collapses. A risk reduction expert offers five recommendations on how to prevent these disasters.
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Alena Pance, University of Hertfordshire
A malaria vaccine called R21 has shown up to 80% efficacy following a booster dose in young children.
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Ayoade Onireti, University of Salford
Families are worried that a new Nigerian law will stop them getting their kidnapped friends or relatives back.
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Gemma Ware, The Conversation; Daniel Merino, The Conversation
Follow The Conversation Weekly podcast for new episodes every Thursday.
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Lisa Perrott, University of Waikato
Like the artist himself, Brett Morgen’s film about David Bowie defies convention to create an extraordinary audiovisual tapestry of an endlessly creative life.
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Ben McCann, University of Adelaide
The titan of French film has died, aged 91. His was a career of immense creativity, which redefined the grammar of cinema.
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