Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in Western Africa, formerly known as Dahomey or Dahomania. It has a small coast line with the Bight of Benin in the south, borders Togo in the west, Nigeria in the east, and Burkina Faso and Niger in the north. It has no particular connection to Benin City or the Kingdom of Benin, the source of the famous Benin Bronzes.

History

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The African kingdom of Dahomey originated in Benin. By the 17th century, the kingdom, ruled by an oba, stretched beyond the borders of present-day Benin, covering a large part of West-Africa. The kingdom was prosperous and established slave trading relations with the Europeans (mostly Portuguese and Dutch) who first arrived in the late 15th century. The coastal part of the kingdom became known as the Slave Coast.

Dahomey was known for its distinct culture and traditions. Starting in 1729, Dahomey started a female army system, with legislation stating that all females would be inspected by the authorities at the age of 15. Those that were determined to be beautiful would be sent to the Palace to become royal wives while those that were ill or physically unattractive were executed, and the remainder were trained as soldiers for a period of two years. Human sacrifice was a common practice; on holidays and special occasions, thousands of slaves and prisoners of war were sacrifices for gods and ancestors.

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Benin - Google News

?“Benin: Royal Arts of a West African Kingdom” - Time Out Chicago
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:18:50 -0000
?“Benin: Royal Arts of a West African Kingdom”Time Out Chicago, IL - 2 hours agoEl: Red, Blue to Jackson; Orange, Green, Pink, Brown, Purple (rush hrs) to Adams. Bus: 3, X3, 4 (24hrs), X4, 6, 14, 26, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, ...“Benin: Royal Arts of a West African Kingdom.” Time Out Chicagoall 6 news articles
Eaglets set for Benin Republic - Nigerian Tribune
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:02:01 -0000
Eaglets set for Benin RepublicNigerian Tribune, Nigeria - 2 hours agoThe Eaglets are currently staying at the Beverly Hills Hotel, while the Benin Republic team are at the Algate Congress Hotel and match officials is ...
H5N1 turns up at Benin poultry market - CIDRAP
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:03:03 -0000
H5N1 turns up at Benin poultry marketCIDRAP, MN - Aug 27, 2008Aug 27, 2008 (CIDRAP News) – Agriculture officials in Benin recently reported that two chickens at a live poultry market tested positive for the H5N1 avian ...
Gunmen kill UNIBEN’s deputy registrar, student - The Punch
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:03:23 -0000
Gunmen kill UNIBEN’s deputy registrar, studentThe Punch, Nigeria - Aug 27, 2008By Fidelis Soriwei, Benin A Deputy Registrar with the University of Benin, Dr. John Ighodalo, was on Monday night shot dead by gunmen in Benin, ...Uniben Deputy Registrar Killed THISDAYGunmen kill UNIBEN Registrar Daily SunAssassins kill UNIBEN’s Dep Registrar The TideNigerian Tribuneall 8 news articles
Benin reports new H5N virus outbreak - Africa Science News Service
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:31:50 -0000
Benin reports new H5N virus outbreakAfrica Science News Service, Kenya - Aug 27, 2008Information sent to the World Animal Health Organisation from Dr Christophe B. MONSIA, Director of Livestock in the Ministry of Agriculture, ...
Driving growth through intense customer focus - BusinessDay
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:35:51 -0000
Driving growth through intense customer focusBusinessDay, Nigeria - 2 hours agoAlong the line of burnishing its international profile, the bank is leveraging its strong presence in Benin Republic to penetrate more French speaking West ...

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