The Dahomey Kingdom

By Heather Cronin, Caitlin Herbert

and Peter Schmidt

http://agongointo.worldarchaeology.net/eng/

Overview

Who Were the Dahomeans?Location of the KingdomMap of Dahomey KingdomYears of ExistenceKey Information to RememberThe Rise and Fall of DahomeySignificanceBibliography

Who Were the Dahomeans?

Kingdom established by Onegbajda, chief of Fon people,1645-1685

Moved to Abomey and changed it to the Kingdom of Dahomey

King Guezo (1818-1858)Strong military, used power to get rich on slave trade

Thrived off of slave tradehttp://allkindsofhistory.wordpress.com/2011/09/23/amazons-the-king-of-dahomeys-all-woman-army/

Location of the Kingdom

Sub-Saharan AfricaAlong the Atlantic coast of West AfricaPresent-Day country of Benin

http://www.mikanet.com/museum/item.php?cat=17&index=7

Map of Dahomey Kingdom

http://www.answers.com/topic/benin-1

Years of Existence

1620-1975Abomey, later the capital of Dahomey, founded around 1620 by Dogbari 1650 small group of Aja roam Allada

Aja flees and begins to assert authority over Fon- leads to the founding of the Kingdom of Dahomey Abomey expands through military conquest-made into powerful state (Dahomey) in the early 18th century

1975 Dahomey renamed as the People’s Republic of Benin by the military government

Not until 1990 that the country officially becomes the Republic of Berlin

Key Information to RememberMore extensive centralization and militarization than many previous kingdoms in AfricaConquests and traditions notoriously violentSlave trade with coastal European communities fueled its successVodoun- official religion of the Dahomey Kingdom

Composite system of ritual, theology and worshipKnowledge and mastery of nature and divine ancestry to guide, teach and heal humans while helping them to fulfill their earthly duties

http://www.vaudou-vodun.com/en/cartier/11/o-vodu/12/na/page/18/

Key Information, cont.

Dahomey Kingdom dominated Western Africa during its existence

Raided neighboring villagesDid not trade with fellow African nations; traded slaves exclusively with coastal Europeans to gain power

Protectorate signed by King of Hogbonou with France in 1894

Dahomeans did not assimilate into French cultureWould struggle to compete in trade and technology

Republic of Dahomey declares independence in 1958, becomes Republic of Benin

One of Africa’s most stable democracies

The Rise and Fall of Dahomey

Reached the height of its power and prestige during Atlantic slave trade (18th and 19th centuries)

Rule of Gezu (1818-1858) marked the pinnacle of Dahomey’s power and influence

End of the slave trade in mid-19th century affected the economic future for Dahomey

Forces Dahomey to produce new products for new markets Products did not contain the same revenues the slave trade had (economic isolation)

1892 French launch a full-scale attack against Dahomey

Surrendered in 1894- kingdom becomes French colony after last king of Dahomey (Kongo) is forced to retire

Significance

Created a large system of slave trade between the Western African coast and Europe

Dominated other nations in the regionGreater centralization and militarization than any previous nation in the regionInspired the Vodoun religion

Future generations inherited the beliefs and practices of the Dahomeans

After it gained independence in August 1960, Republic of Benin became one of Africa’s most stable democracies to date

http://www.mfa-ks.net/?page=2,4,900

Bibliography“Dahomey.” The Ouidah Museum of History. Web. 07 Mar 2014.“Dahomey Kingdom History.” Spiritual and Temporal Power of the

Dahomey Kings. African Magick, 2011. Web. 7 March 2014.“Guezo.” UXL Biographies. Detroit: UXL, 2003. Discover

Collection. Web. 07 Mar 2014.“The Kingdom of Dahomey: A Brief History.” Benin Other Places

Travel Guide. Other Places Publishing, 2010. Web. 07 Mar 2014.

Kurian, George Thomas, ed. “Benin: History Overview.” World Geography and Culture Online. Facts on File, Inc. Web. 07 Mar 2014.

“Wonders: Dahomey Kingdom.” The Slave Kingdoms. Microsoft Encarta Africana, 1999. Web. 7 Mar 2014.

Zogbé, Mama. “The World’s Oldest Vodoun Tradition.” Mami Wata West African Diaspora Vodoun. Mama Zogbé, 2010. Web. 10 Mar 2014.