Benin Overview

Country Profile

Central and southern Benin in West Africa, all known as the Republic of Benin. “Benin” means “slave.” An area of 112,600 square kilometers, population 6.75 million, with 46 tribes, mainly aromatic, Yoruba, Aga family, etc.. Many residents believe in fetishism and Islam. Official language is French, Fang, Yoruba, and Ballybay language. CFA franc currency. The capital Porto Novo.

Benin National Flag

The Benin flag has one vertical green rectangle and two horizontal yellow and red rectangles. Green symbolizes hope, yellow represents prosperity and red is for bravery and courage. Green, yellow and red are known as the Pan-African colors.

History Summary

In the 18th century, during the insanity of Abomey Guoding, the southern and central parts of the country were unified. It was incorporated into French West Africa in 1904, becoming a French colony in 1915. In 1958, it became part of the French co-body “autonomous republic.” On August 1, 1960, it gained independence with the establishment of the Republic of Dahomey. On November 30, 1975, it changed its name to Benin People’s Republic. On March 1, 1990, it changed to the Beninese Republic.

Economy and Culture Overview

Its economy is dominated by agriculture including palm oil, cotton, cassava and maize. Palm oil output is high, and it is the main export product. Benin tribes live in big family communities. The family patriarch is the generally older Sage, whereas chiefs have a heritage of distribution, handling matters relating to marriage and divorce and punishing offenders.

All ethnic groups have different tattoos. Tribal tattoos were originally used to distinguish between the signs, and later evolved into different sects and family marks, and even become a symbol of the United States. A man will first use a pen to delineate patterns in his face, and then cut off the skin with a blade in accordance with the design. After wound healing the surface words are formed. Tattooing was seen as a symbol of courage and adulthood.
Benin were the snake as a totem to worship, that it is a source of strength. There is a port city of Ouidah in the snake temple, where many people at home to support Python, but here’s the python gentle temperament, but not toxic, so people even allow them to shrink in the furniture inside.

Abomey

This is located in southern Benin. Between the 17th and 19th centuries the capital of the Kingdom was Abomey. As one of the West Coast of Africa’s most powerful dynasties, generations of kings built a palace here, which formed a magnificent architectural complex. Stay current sites include A Jiajia Palace, Tegebisuo and grams of Ben Guerra Tomb, and the palace, including the Racine group, including the 19th century palace.

Park. 1889-1894, the last country Wangbei Han-chun, leading the people in the struggle against France, after the remains of burial site of Abomey, the solemn mausoleum is regarded as sacred. Based on the old palace, it was converted into the Abomey Historical Museum and is the best preserved example of West African heritage. In 1985, the Royal Palace of Abomey was made a UNESCO World Heritage listed site.

Ganvie water village

Located about 12 km north of Cotonou’s Nokwe Lake, it is called the “Venice of Africa.” Built in 1717, all the houses were built in a circle 23 m above the water on stakes. They have bamboo walls and floors and pointed roofs covered with a thick thatch. Each household has a ladder to the surface of the water, and every household has a wooden bridge to stay connected. There is bustling, vessel-lined water markets, all with strange customs that attract overseas tourists.

Benin Map