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EDThe Connection Between The Great Benin Kingdom 🇳🇬 & Republic of Benin 🇧🇯 (French: République du Bénin), and formerly Dahomey
The presence of two territories named “Benin” in Africa, and a third if we consider The Bight of Benin, is not coincidental. According to African Oral History, Oba Orhogbua, the 18th Oba of Benin around 1550AD, played a pivotal role. During the expansion of the Benin Empire, Oba Orhogbua conquered territories west of Benin Kingdom, including Dahomey (now Benin Republic). The establishment of a war camp in Lagos Island, known as Eko, occurred during this phase. Oba Orhogbua installed a regent named “Isidahomen” in Dahomey, later phonetically corrupted to Dahomey by locals. In 1975, Dahomey sought permission from Oba Akenzua II to rename the country to The Republic of Benin, paying homage to the historical Benin Empire. The Brits had earlier named the West African coast The Bight of Benin 123 years before Dahomey’s renaming.
Credit @africa.renaissance
Sources:
- Jacob Egharevba: The Origins of the Benin Kingship
- Ayandele, Emmanuel Ayankanmi (1970): Holy Johnson, pioneer of African nationalism.
- Uwagbale Edward-Ekpu: Facts About GREAT BENIN from the last 2,054 Years
- Charity Wacera: Benin Kingdom: One Of Africa’s Great Civilizations
@edopride
