History

The Kingdom of Dahomey

Founded in the 17th century on the Abomey plateau, the Kingdom of Dahomey became one of the major powers of the West African coast. Its rulers built a centralised state with a structured administration and a unique female military corps, the Minon, known in the West as the "Amazons".

The Atlantic slave trade

From the 17th to the 19th century, the coast was one of the main embarkation points of the transatlantic slave trade. Ouidah preserves that memory through the Slave Route and the Door of No Return.

Colonisation and independence

The territory became the French colony of Dahomey at the end of the 19th century. The country gained independence on 1 August 1960.

Democratic renewal

The National Conference of the Active Forces of the Nation, held in February 1990, opened a peaceful transition to political pluralism and served as a model for several African countries. The Constitution of 11 December 1990 established today's Republic of Benin.

Restitution of heritage

In November 2021, France returned twenty-six works from the royal treasure of Abomey, looted in 1892. They were shown in Cotonou at an exhibition that drew over 200,000 visitors.