The Dahomey Kingdom By Heather Cronin, Caitlin Herbert and Peter Schmidt /

Overview Who Were the Dahomeans? Location of the Kingdom Map of Dahomey Kingdom Years of Existence Key Information to Remember The Rise and Fall of Dahomey Significance Bibliography

Who Were the Dahomeans? Kingdom established by Onegbajda, chief of Fon people, Moved to Abomey and changed it to the Kingdom of Dahomey King Guezo ( ) Strong military, used power to get rich on slave trade Thrived off of slave trade

Location of the Kingdom Sub-Saharan Africa Along the Atlantic coast of West Africa Present-Day country of Benin

Map of Dahomey Kingdom

Years of Existence Abomey, 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 18 th 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 Remember More extensive centralization and militarization than many previous kingdoms in Africa Conquests and traditions notoriously violent Slave trade with coastal European communities fueled its success Vodoun- official religion of the Dahomey Kingdom Composite system of ritual, theology and worship Knowledge and mastery of nature and divine ancestry to guide, teach and heal humans while helping them to fulfill their earthly duties

Key Information, cont. Dahomey Kingdom dominated Western Africa during its existence Raided neighboring villages Did 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 culture Would 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 ( ) 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 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 region Greater centralization and militarization than any previous nation in the region Inspired 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

Bibliography “Dahomey.” The Ouidah Museum of History. Web. 07 Mar “Dahomey Kingdom History.” Spiritual and Temporal Power of the Dahomey Kings. African Magick, Web. 7 March “Guezo.” UXL Biographies. Detroit: UXL, Discover Collection. Web. 07 Mar “The Kingdom of Dahomey: A Brief History.” Benin Other Places Travel Guide. Other Places Publishing, Web. 07 Mar Kurian, George Thomas, ed. “Benin: History Overview.” World Geography and Culture Online. Facts on File, Inc. Web. 07 Mar “Wonders: Dahomey Kingdom.” The Slave Kingdoms. Microsoft Encarta Africana, Web. 7 Mar Zogbé, Mama. “The World’s Oldest Vodoun Tradition.” Mami Wata West African Diaspora Vodoun. Mama Zogbé, Web. 10 Mar 2014.