Kingdom of Dahomey: A History from Beginning to End

by Hourly History

Discover the remarkable history of the Kingdom of Dahomey...
Free BONUS Inside!

Imagine a fervently militaristic state with a feared professional army that included some of the only all-female military units ever seen. Imagine that same state with its own unique and sophisticated culture, religion, language, art, and society. Such a state did exist—not in the ancient past but as recently as the beginning of the twentieth century.

The Kingdom of Dahomey was established in the seventeenth century and quickly rose to become one of the most powerful forces in West Africa. The society of this nation was based on conquest and the use of captives as slaves and human sacrifices. When the international slave trade expanded, Dahomey became one of the most significant slave trading centers in the world. This is the story of a unique kingdom that for more than two hundred years was one of the most influential in Africa. This is the story of the Kingdom of Dahomey.

Discover a plethora of topics such asExpansion and Conquest; The Women Warriors of Dahomey; Dahomey and the Slave Trade; The Fall of Dahomey; and much more!
So if you want a concise and informative book on the Kingdom of Dahomey , simply scroll up and click the "Buy now" button for instant access!

Genres: History, Nonfiction

119 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 11, 2022

About the author

At Hourly History, we focus on publishing history books that are concise, straightforward and take no longer than one hour to read.

Receive our new eBooks for free every Friday.
Sign up at: www.hourlyhistory.com/free

Reviews

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately lacking more detailed information, but a good overview of a kingdom difficult to find more details about. Easy to read in a short afternoon.

[Readasaurus Rex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Warrior women. I like it.

“No one can set fire to a large tree that has fallen whole with its branches (first it must be cut).” —King Agaja of Dahomey

[Jerry Jares · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two parts of this book interested me. First, Dahomey was a kingdom that rose in the seventeenth century and became one of the most powerful in West Africa. Second, the backbone of their economy became the slave trade. Thus, Africans sold other Africans into slavery and were transported virtually around the world. Estimates are that twelve million enslaved people were transported, and as many as half died before starting to work.

The Kingdom of Dahomey was materialistic and deeply committed to conquering lands and other peoples. It enslaved captives and made human sacrifices. The most unique thing about its troops was the many all-female units. These units started as bodyguards for the king but soon diversified into regular fighting units. Many women were also the king's wives (he had about 2000).

Once the slavery trade was made illegal, Dahomey tried to diversify to producing palm oil. However, other tropical nations soon started doing the same, and this reduced Dahomey's wealth. This is an entertaining and unique story of African tribes.

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this history somewhat confusing because of the way it hopped back and forth on the timeline. It was also too repetitive for such a short book. I might have given it an even lower score except it was saved by the last chapter or conclusion. The history of the Kingdom of Dahomey as shown in book could have gone into two chapters like the last one.

I do give Hourly History credit for introducing me to Dahomey. Unfortunately it is difficult to find history books about much of Africa since the stories of the various kingdoms are usually limited to oral tradition instead of being written.

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly good introduction. Some of the blurb is very inflammatory which I think obscures the complexity of the situation in West Africa. And I didn't think it was as much depth as other Hourly Histories I've read. But it is an introduction to something many in Europe and the West know very little about.

[Irene O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slave Trade

Very interesting to read about the slave trade that was relied upon by Dahomey and other African kingdoms. While it has always been part of humanity, it is particularly shocking. Then, human sacrifice on a very, very large scale. Could it be that it took Europeans to impose some kind of civilisation to this part of the world?

[Jane Lawrence · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the book very shallow for a history book. Yes it was just 60 some pages it read like a bad term paper ( like the ones I wrote in college ). Not much fact but lots of repetitive information. Looking for more information this book is not the place.

[Rhodell Fields · Rating 3 out of 5]

Half Full….

Some information is probably better than none. Offers a thumbnail sketch of Dahomey. Provides some insight into the country’s complex legacy. Will seek out more.

[Lee Murray Brazos Booksellers · Rating 4 out of 5]

intriguing

An excellent primer and a great source of information on Dahomey’s centrality in the slave trade.

Well written and easily comprehendible.

[Kasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly interesting story of a not very well-known but significant part of African history.
Must read.

[Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick book - lots of historical facts with no filler.

[David Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victors write history

Such a little known kingdom played a major role in world history. Every empire has been built on some form of slavery.