9781422280713

BENIN

B enin is located between Nigeria and Togo, and has a short coastline on the Bight of Benin. Known as Dahomey until 1975, it was once one of Africa’s most powerful kingdoms, larger than at present and the traditional birthplace of voodoo . In fact, many such tribal kingdoms existed in Africa until the mid 19th century, when France assumed control. It was captured by the Portuguese in the 16th century, who were expelled by the Dutch in 1642 when it developed a flourishing slave trade, mainly with Brazil. France signed a treaty in 1851, making Dahomey a protectorate in

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