dahomey meaning
Noun: Dahomey daa'howmee
- A country on western coast of Africa; formerly under French control
- Benin, Republic of Benin
Type of: African country, African nation
Part of: Africa
Encyclopedia: Dahomey
[Medicine]
A republic in western Africa,south of NIGER and between TOGO and NIGERIA. Its capital is Porto-Novo. It was formerly called Dahomey. In the 17th century it was a kingdom in the southern area of Africa. Coastal footholds were established by the French who deposed the ruler by 1892. It was made a French colony in 1894 and gained independence in 1960. Benin comes from the name of the indigenous inhabitants,the Bini,now more closely linked with southern Nigeria (Benin City,a town there). Bini may be related to the Arabic bani,sons. (From Webster's New Geographical Dictionary,1988,p136,310 & Room,Brewer's Dictionary of Names,1992,p60)
Examples
More: Next- Anyone know where I can find what used to be Dahomey?
- The Dahomey kingship exists as a ceremonial role to this day.
- On 11 July 1960 France agreed to Dahomey becoming fully independent.
- After Dahomey achieved independence, Zinsou became the ambassador to France.
- The people of Dahomey were outraged at Bokhiri's release.