The King of Dahomey (Ahosu in the Fon language) was the ruler of Dahomey, an African kingdom in the southern part of present-day Benin, which lasted from 1600 until 1900 when the French Third Republic abolished the political authority of the Kingdom. The rulers served a prominent position in Fon ancestor worship leading the Annual Customs and this important position caused the French to bring back the exiled king of Dahomey for ceremonial purposes in 1910. Since 2000, there have been rival claimants as king and there has so far been no political solution.[1] The Palace and seat of government were in the town of Abomey. Early historiography of the King of Dahomey presented them as absolute rulers who formally owned all property and people of the kingdom. However, recent histories have emphasized that there was significant political contestation limiting the power of the king[2] and that there was a female ruler of Dahomey, Hangbe, who was largely written out of early histories.[3]
Tapestry depicting several kings of Dahomey and their regnal years.
Multiple lists of the kings of Dahomey have been put together and many of them start at different points for the first King of Dahomey. In various sources, Do-Aklin, Dakodonu, or Houegbadja are all considered the first king of Dahomey. Oral tradition contends that Do-Aklin moved from Allada to the Abomey plateau, Dakodonu created the first settlement and founded the kingdom (but is often considered a "mere chief"), and Houegbadja who settled the kingdom, built the palace and created much of the structure is often considered the first king of Dahomey.[4] Oral tradition contends that the kings were all of the Aladaxonou dynasty, a name claiming descent from the city of Allada which Dahomey conquered in the 1700s. Historians largely believe now that this connection was created to legitimate rule over the city of Allada and that connections to the royal family in Allada were likely of a limited nature.[4] In oral tradition of most accounts, Houegbadja is considered the first king and recognition of him happened first in the Annual Customs of Dahomey.[4]
List of kingsedit
(Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office)
Hangbe was ruler of Dahomey for a short period of time between the death of Akaba and the rule of Agaja. Bay argues that there is clear evidence that suggests Hangbe did rule for a period, but it is unclear whether it was for three months or three years. She is not included in any lists of Kings of Dahomey.
Since 2000, Houédogni Béhanzin had made a rival claim to the position of king. Following the death of Agoli Agbo Dedjalagni, there was no titular King of Dahomey for 8 months.
22 January 2000 to 30 December 2012
Houédogni Béhanzin, Ahosu
Rival to Agoli Agbo Dedjalagni for the position of king.
^Araujo, Ana Lucia (2010). Public Memory of Slavery: Victims and Perpetrators in the South Atlantic. Amherst, NY: Cambria Press. ISBN978-1-60497-714-1.
^Yoder, John C. (1974). "Fly and Elephant Parties: Political Polarization in Dahomey, 1840-1870". The Journal of African History. 15 (3): 417–432. doi:10.1017/s0021853700013566.
^Alpern, Stanley B. (1998). "On the Origins of the Amazons of Dahomey". History in Africa. 25: 9–25. doi:10.2307/3172178.
^ abcdBay, Edna (1998). Wives of the Leopard: Gender, Politics, and Culture in the Kingdom of Dahomey. University of Virginia Press. ISBN978-0-8139-1792-4.
^"Rulers of Benin". Rulers.org. Retrieved 2012-10-07.
^"New monarch appointed to ancestral kingdom of Dahomey". Modernghana.com.
April 13, 2024
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The King of Dahomey Ahosu in the Fon language was the ruler of Dahomey an African kingdom in the southern part of present day Benin which lasted from 1600 until 1900 when the French Third Republic abolished the political authority of the Kingdom The rulers served a prominent position in Fon ancestor worship leading the Annual Customs and this important position caused the French to bring back the exiled king of Dahomey for ceremonial purposes in 1910 Since 2000 there have been rival claimants as king and there has so far been no political solution 1 The Palace and seat of government were in the town of Abomey Early historiography of the King of Dahomey presented them as absolute rulers who formally owned all property and people of the kingdom However recent histories have emphasized that there was significant political contestation limiting the power of the king 2 and that there was a female ruler of Dahomey Hangbe who was largely written out of early histories 3 Tapestry depicting several kings of Dahomey and their regnal years Contents 1 The first king 2 List of kings 3 See also 4 ReferencesThe first king editMultiple lists of the kings of Dahomey have been put together and many of them start at different points for the first King of Dahomey In various sources Do Aklin Dakodonu or Houegbadja are all considered the first king of Dahomey Oral tradition contends that Do Aklin moved from Allada to the Abomey plateau Dakodonu created the first settlement and founded the kingdom but is often considered a mere chief and Houegbadja who settled the kingdom built the palace and created much of the structure is often considered the first king of Dahomey 4 Oral tradition contends that the kings were all of the Aladaxonou dynasty a name claiming descent from the city of Allada which Dahomey conquered in the 1700s Historians largely believe now that this connection was created to legitimate rule over the city of Allada and that connections to the royal family in Allada were likely of a limited nature 4 In oral tradition of most accounts Houegbadja is considered the first king and recognition of him happened first in the Annual Customs of Dahomey 4 List of kings edit Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office Reign Portrait King NotesKingdom of Abomeyc 1600 Do Aklin or Gangnihessou Leader of Fon settlement on Abomey Plateau c 1625 to 1645 Dakodonou Ahosu Founder of the Kingdom of Abomey and builder of the palace Kingdom of Dahomey1645 to 1685 nbsp Houegbadja Ahosu In most accounts the first King of Dahomey 1685 to 1716 Akaba Ahosu1716 to 1718 Hangbe Regent Hangbe was ruler of Dahomey for a short period of time between the death of Akaba and the rule of Agaja Bay argues that there is clear evidence that suggests Hangbe did rule for a period but it is unclear whether it was for three months or three years She is not included in any lists of Kings of Dahomey 1718 to 1740 Agaja Ahosu1740 to 1774 Tegbesu Ahosu1774 to 1789 Kpengla Ahosu1789 to 1797 Agonglo Ahosu1797 to 1818 Adandozan Regent Excluded in some lists 1818 to 1858 nbsp Ghezo Ahosu1858 to 1889 nbsp Glele Ahosu1889 to 1894 nbsp Behanzin Ahosu Final independent King of Dahomey reigned during the First Franco Dahomean War 1890 and the Second Franco Dahomean War 1892 to 1894 1894 to 1900 nbsp Agoli agbo Ahosu Appointed to the position when the French conquered Abomey Ceremonial rulers1900 to 1940 nbsp Agoli agbo Ahosu In exile and reigned with French restrictions 1940 to 1948 Aidododo Ahosu1948 to 1983 Togni Ahoussou Ahosu1986 to 1989 Joseph Langanfin Ahosu30 September 1989 to July 2018 Agoli Agbo Dedjalagni Ahosu Since 2000 Houedogni Behanzin had made a rival claim to the position of king Following the death of Agoli Agbo Dedjalagni there was no titular King of Dahomey for 8 months 22 January 2000 to 30 December 2012 Houedogni Behanzin Ahosu Rival to Agoli Agbo Dedjalagni for the position of king 12 January 2019 to 17 December 2021 nbsp Dah Sagbadjou Glele Ahosu Elected by Dahomeyan nobles 22 January 2022 to present Georges Collinet BehanzinSources 4 5 6 See also editHistory of the Kingdom of Dahomey Royal Palaces of Abomey Benin Fon Fon states Rulers of the Fon state of Alada Allada Rulers of the Fon state of Savi Hweda Lists of office holdersReferences edit Araujo Ana Lucia 2010 Public Memory of Slavery Victims and Perpetrators in the South Atlantic Amherst NY Cambria Press ISBN 978 1 60497 714 1 Yoder John C 1974 Fly and Elephant Parties Political Polarization in Dahomey 1840 1870 The Journal of African History 15 3 417 432 doi 10 1017 s0021853700013566 Alpern Stanley B 1998 On the Origins of the Amazons of Dahomey History in Africa 25 9 25 doi 10 2307 3172178 a b c d Bay Edna 1998 Wives of the Leopard Gender Politics and Culture in the Kingdom of Dahomey University of Virginia Press ISBN 978 0 8139 1792 4 Rulers of Benin Rulers org Retrieved 2012 10 07 New monarch appointed to ancestral kingdom of Dahomey Modernghana com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title King of Dahomey amp oldid 1213187517, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
