shield History

Béhanzin against France

Béhanzin (1844-1906), the 11th and last independent king of Dahomey, led a fierce resistance against French colonization between 1890 and 1894. Here is his story in Fon and in English.

schedule 6 min
signal_cellular_alt All levels
1
King

Coronation and reign

BéhanzinThe king (real name: Kondo)
1889Year of coronation
Axɔ́sú 1111th king of Dahomey
GléléHis father and predecessor
MinoThe Amazons, his women warriors
Axɔ́sú gbɛ̌
A living king — Béhanzin before the war
2
War

Franco-Dahomean Wars

1890-1892First war
1892-1894Second war, final defeat
DoddsVictorious French general
CanaDecisive battle, 1892
CotonouPort taken by France

Understand this culture in its own language: Parlons Fongbe Academy — 79 video lessons with a native speaker.Discover

3
Exile

Deportation and legacy

1894Captured by the French
MartiniqueFirst place of exile
AlgeriaDied in Blida in 1906
1928Repatriation of his ashes
SymbolAfrican anti-colonial resistance
tips_and_updates

Memory

Equestrian statue of Béhanzin in Abomey, Avenue Béhanzin in Cotonou, a banknote… The last king of Dahomey has become a national icon of Benin.

The king who said no

Béhanzin embodies African resistance against colonization. His name, his struggle and his exile are at the heart of modern Beninese identity.

Danxomɛ
Language before translation
Parlons Fongbe Academy
The full course

Fon culture is understood in the Fon language.

Proverbs, Vodun, the history of Danxomɛ: all of it is said first in Fon. 79 video lessons with a native speaker, from the first greeting to conversation — so you can listen to this culture without having it translated for you.

79 video lessons Native speaker from Cotonou Lifetime access, one payment
Access the course

Site offer · 80 000 instead of50,000 FCFA

One free trial lesson when you sign up.

Go further