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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@Miyo86 Ijinle yoruba is tight.. Akata, benin and igbo fall in love with it!! Honestly lolzz
BlackmanSule (Olan ) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 02:25:53 -0000
@Miyo86 Ijinle yoruba is tight.. Akata, benin and igbo fall in love with it!! Honestly lolzz
Anh, jamaica plain MA, US has given loan amount of 450 to Pélagie Hotegni, Cotonou, Benin. Reason: To buy body milk, perfume and deodorants
kivalendactivts (KivaLendinActivitis) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:58:50 -0000
Anh, jamaica plain MA, US has given loan amount of 450 to Pélagie Hotegni, Cotonou, Benin. Reason: To buy body milk, perfume and deodorants
A native ritual doctor in Benin predicted Nigeria will win the the World Cup!!
BlackmanSule (Olan ) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:46:41 -0000
A native ritual doctor in Benin predicted Nigeria will win the the World Cup!!
Benin monarch gives Igbinedion ultimatum /Vanguard/ - THE Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, was ... http://tinyurl.com/ydz6uy5
vanguardngrnews (Vanguard Newspapers) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:10:38 -0000
Benin monarch gives Igbinedion ultimatum /Vanguard/ - THE Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, was ... http://tinyurl.com/ydz6uy5
Tom , Parker CO, US has given loan amount of 350 to Onome Igho, Benin City, Nigeria. Reason: To purchase more clothes and bags to sell
kivalendactivts (KivaLendinActivitis) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:04:49 -0000
Tom , Parker CO, US has given loan amount of 350 to Onome Igho, Benin City, Nigeria. Reason: To purchase more clothes and bags to sell
2009 Africa Mercy Field Service in Benin Final Record Results! Wow! 97,625 Total Procedures 67,219 Direct ... http://bit.ly/6w7coV
MercyShips (Mercy Ships) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:52:57 -0000
2009 Africa Mercy Field Service in Benin Final Record Results! Wow! 97,625 Total Procedures 67,219 Direct ... http://bit.ly/6w7coV

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