The Rulers of Benin

As Centuries Changed, so Did the Sphere of Influence

Apr 18, 2009 Kristin Peoples

Benin was formerly known as Dahomey. While Benin is one complete unit today, this has not always been the case. It initially consisted of many independent kingdoms.

The country owes its boundaries to the conflict between the English and the French in the 19th century during the scramble and partition of Africa. During this time European countries were looking to spread their spheres of influence. Moreover, by establishing African territories as their colonies and protectorates, they were assured of the availability of labor for their developing industries, ready markets for their goods and a source of raw material.

The Oba

In the 15th century, the Oba were the rulers of Benin. One famous Oba ruler known as Ewuare the great was responsible for increasing Benin’s sphere of influence. Under his rule, Benin’s territory expanded to cover the area between the Niger Delta and the Lagos, now a city in Nigeria. The Oba’s are said to have brought great success and organization to Benin.

The Dahomey

It was in the 17th century that the Fon who lived in Abomey founded the Dahomey kingdom. Slave trade was the main economic activity. Between 1818 and 1858, King Gezo ruled Dahomey. He was succeeded by King Glele who ruled until 1889. During the reign of the two rulers, Dahomey established one of the strongest and well organized armies in the West African region. With the army, the Fon were able to conquer their neighbors, the Dan and the Allada, thereby succeeding in expanding their kingdom all the way to the coast. In the 1850, slave trade declined. As a result, king Glele developed an exporting market with palm oil as the main commodity.

The Portuguese are regarded as the first Europeans to have stepped on the West African coast. They then established trading posts on the coast. One such trading post was Porto Novo which is now the Benin coast. Just like in Angola, the Portuguese established slave trade. As the slave trade grew over the years, other Europeans came to settle in Benin, then Dahomey. Examples of these Europeans were the Dutch, , English, Spanish and the French. They also succeeded in establishing other trading posts in Dahomey, for instance, Ouida and Cotonou. Nonetheless, slaves were not the only thing that was traded in, weapons also had great supply and demand in the area. Because of the slave trade, the coastal part of Dahomey earned the title of Slave Coast.

In the late 1800s the French were clearly interested in the Dahomey. They first set up a trading post , Grand Popo, in 1857. Consequently, in 1892, they invaded and conquered Fon exiling the then king Bahanzin. However, it wasn’t until 1904 that Dahomey became part of French West Africa and a French protectorate . The decline of the Oba rule is what gave way for the establishment of French rule in Dahomey. Dahomey gained independence form the French in 1960 and was renamed as Benin in 1975.

References

Benin - History. (2009). Encyclopedia of Nations.

History of Benin. (2005). Nationmaster.com.

The copyright of the article The Rulers of Benin in African History is owned by Kristin Peoples. Permission to republish The Rulers of Benin in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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