Language/Fon/Culture/Benin-Timeline

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Historical Timeline for Benin
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The history of the Republic of Benin is often mistaken for the history of the Kingdom of Benin, which was located in present-day Nigeria (Ifé) and has remained famous for its bronze sculptures (Benin bronzes). But the history of present-day Benin is no less rich. If the kings of Abomey occupy an important place there because of the slave trade, we must not neglect the history of other peoples such as the Fon or the Adja. Relations within this space have sometimes been conflicting, but the national unity of Benin, as formerly of Dahomey, is relatively well preserved.

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Population of Benin[edit | edit source]

The settlement of Benin took place in several phases and over several centuries. Among the peoples who settled in Benin, three groups played a central role in the history of the country. In the South up to the latitude of Abomey, it is the Adja, originally from Togo, who founded the powerful kingdoms of Allada (1575), Abomey (1645) and Porto-Novo (1688). The Yoruba, originally from present-day Nigeria, settled in the south-east and the center of the country. Coming in successive waves since the 12th century (and probably long before in smaller groups), they created the kingdoms of Savé (before 1550) and of Kétou in particular. Finally the Bariba, riders from Nigeria (Busa), invaded Borgou, about 500 years ago, and mainly populated the North-East of Benin. Less numerous, the Dendi are mainly concentrated in the north-west of the country, while the Fulani (or Peuls) are found in the north and the Bétamaribé, commonly called Somba, inhabit the Atakora mountains.

Chronology[edit | edit source]

Prehistory[edit | edit source]

Human presence attested by excavations in the northwest of Benin.

The pre-colonial period[edit | edit source]

  • Around the 10th and 11th centuries ⇒ foundation of Ifé in Nigeria by the Yoruba.
  • 1471 and 1536 ⇒ first European incursions on the coasts of Dahomey.
  • End of the 15th century ⇒ creation of the Yoruba kingdom of Kétou.
  • 16th century ⇒ arrival of the Bariba in Benin; Séro Sykia founds Nikki.
  • End of the 16th century ⇒ the Agasuvi (Adja) clan left Tado (Togo) and migrated to the east where they founded Allada (1575).
  • 1650-1680 ⇒ reign of Houégbadja, founder of the kingdom of Abomey.
  • 1721 ⇒ construction of the Portuguese fort of Ouidah.
  • 1727 ⇒ Agadja, king of Abomey, opens access to the coast with the capture of Allada and Ouidah. Control of the kingdom of Abomey on the slave trade.
  • 1803 ⇒ suppression of the slave trade by Denmark.
  • 1818-1858 ⇒ reign of King Guézo in Abomey. The palm oil trade is gradually replacing the slave trade.
  • 1820-1835 ⇒ return and installation of the "Brazilians", freed slaves who return to Africa.
  • 1858-1889 ⇒ reign of Glélé in Abomey.
  • 1874-1908 ⇒ reign of Toffa in Porto-Novo.
  • 1889 ⇒ Béhanzin becomes king of Abomey.
  • 1890 ⇒ second Berlin conference on the abolition of slavery in Africa.
  • 1882 ⇒ Porto-Novo placed under French protectorate.

The colonial period[edit | edit source]

  • 1892 ⇒ start of the Battle of Abomey.
  • 1894 ⇒ surrender to Goho of Béhanzin and creation of the colony of Dahomey and outbuildings under the governorate of Victor Ballot.
  • 1898 ⇒ delimitation of the borders between Dahomey and Nigeria with England.
  • 1897 ⇒ bariba insurrection in Borgou.
  • 1904 ⇒ attachment of the colony to the AOF.
  • 1906 ⇒ death of King Béhanzin in Algiers.
  • 1915-1919 ⇒ new insurrection in Borgou and Atakora.
  • 1919 ⇒ annexation of Togo.
  • 1943 ⇒ Brazzaville conference.
  • 1956 ⇒ Defferre framework law, development of legal political action in Dahomey.

Independence[edit | edit source]

  • December 4, 1958 ⇒ creation of the Republic of Dahomey.
  • August 1, 1960 ⇒ independence of Dahomey.
  • July 31, 1961 ⇒ departure of the last Portuguese from Ouidah.
  • 1961-1972 ⇒ period of unrest and political instability marked by several coups d'état.
  • October 26, 1972 ⇒ military coup d'etat, seizure of power by Mathieu Kérékou.
  • November 30, 1975 ⇒ proclamation of the People's Republic of Benin, which follows the adoption of the Marxist-Leninist doctrine.
  • August 26, 1977 ⇒ adoption of the Basic Law.
  • 19-28 February 1990 ⇒ National Conference held in Cotonou.
  • February 27, 1990 ⇒ repeal of the 1977 Constitution.
  • March 12, 1990 ⇒ Nicéphore Soglo becomes head of the transitional government.
  • December 2, 1990 ⇒ the new Constitution of Benin is adopted by referendum.
  • March 24, 1991 ⇒ election of Nicéphore Soglo as President.
  • April 1996 ⇒ election of Mathieu Kérékou as president.
  • March 22, 2001 ⇒ re-election of Mathieu Kérékou as President.
  • March 2006 ⇒ election of Yayi Boni as president.
  • March 31, 2007 ⇒ the legislative elections see the victory of the Force Cauris pour un Bénin Emergent (FCBE).
  • March 13, 2011 ⇒ Yayi Boni was reelected in the first round of the presidential election, winning 53.14% of the vote. As provided for by the Constitution, this will be his second and last term.
  • October 14, 2015 ⇒ Death of Mathieu Kérékou, president of the Republic of Dahomey then of the People's Republic of Benin (from 1972 to 1990) and finally of the Republic of Benin (from 1996 to 2006).
  • March 20, 2016 ⇒ The opponent Patrice Talon is elected President of the Republic against the outgoing Prime Minister (and candidate supported by the future ex-president Yayi Boni) Lionel Zinsou.
  • April 6, 2016 ⇒ Patrice Talon is officially invested President of the Republic in Porto-Novo.
  • July 28, 2016 ⇒ Death of Emile Derlin-Zinsou, former president of the Republic of Dahomey between 1968 and 1969.
  • June 1, 2018 ⇒ The W-Arly-Pendjari complex, straddling Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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