Depiction of Seh-Dong-Hong-Beh, a leader of the Amazons

Depiction of Seh-Dong-Hong-Beh, a leader of the Amazons

Frederick Edwyn Forbes was a British naval officer and artist who lived in the 19th century. He was known for his sketches and drawings of people and landscapes from around the world, including Africa.

One of Forbes’ most famous works is a sketch of Seh-Dong-Hong-Beh, a leader of the Dahomey Amazons, which he drew during the Egba-Dahomey War in 1851. The sketch depicts Seh-Dong-Hong-Beh in full military attire, including her distinctive headdress and breastplate, and carrying a spear.

Forbes’ drawing of Seh-Dong-Hong-Beh is considered an important historical document because it provides a rare visual representation of a prominent female warrior from African history. The sketch also reflects the interest of European artists and ethnographers in African cultures during the Age of Exploration.

Today, Forbes’ drawing of Seh-Dong-Hong-Beh can be found in museum collections and art archives around the world, and is studied by scholars of African history and culture.