The Lore of Kings

In Cotonou, we purchased this beautifully appliqued wall hanging from Abomey.  These tapestries are made by Fon men and boys who belong to a family guild that passes designs down each generation.  The bright colored cloth motifs and patterns of birds, fish, animals and other symbols were cut of plain weave cotton and stitched onto the black background. 

Each textile depicts the story of a king, chief, or warrior and tell of their achievements in history. Originally, designated artisans executed these designs to specifications of their kings and they were hung as banners of battle or palace. 

Today Abomey is the political capital of Benin and is known for its beautiful palaces and decorated walls.  Tapestries are considered to be important and tells the story of the glorious periods in the history of the Kingdom of Dahomey.

Cotonou - The Charm of a Seaside Village

This is a photo of the apartment building we lived in Cotonou, Dahomey, which is not the the capital.  Situated between Nigeria and Togo, Dahomey has a straight, sandy coastline with an endless line of gently-waving coconut palms.  The city grew up alongside the little fishing village which previously occupied the site. Cotonou is the only maritime outlet of the country.  

The Art of Benin

The Yoruba people are the largest ethnic group in Africa.  They are concentrated in Nigeria and Benin and are famous for their magnificent bronze art and woodcraft.  

The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology displays works from 1550-1650 A.D.  when Benin was ruled by kings and with their support, a royally supported craftsman produced brass, ivory, and wood sculptures and embroidered cloths.

The Jewett collection includes pieces from more modern unknown skilled artists.  This mask is an amazing example of fine wood carving done by a traditional craftsman for the public.  Traditional pieces continue to be made today.  

Ganvie Village - Benin's Top Tourist Trap

The most popular tourist attraction in Benin is the stilt village of Ganvie.  It is a short trip out from Cotonou, where we were living.  Out in the middle of the vast lagoon is the village of Ganvie.  About 30,000 people live there.  The lagoon is not deep but the village is a long way from shore.  We were told that this place was built long ago by a tribe who believed that the Fon warriors were forbidden from entering the water. Villagers fish and trade, traveling along the water in pirogues with items for sale.  We got out of the boat for a drink and to visit the home of our guide.  We purchased the painting shown in the previous post from L. Lateye, the artist, in town.  It is quite beautiful and striking.  Painted in oil on sailcloth, it is about 2'x6" framed.  As time goes on, we will share other photos of our amazing trip to visit Ganvie.

Welcome and Introduction

It gives me great pleasure to welcome all visitors to my Kingdom of Dahomey blog.  It will be our pleasure to share our memories and treasures from our once in a lifetime experience.  Showcasing the work of a few little known artists of an African country allows us the opportunity to revisit their world.  Like other visitors, we purchased souvenirs by which we could remember our time there.  We want to show them off on this blog.

Much has happened in Dahomey since 1969.  The most obvious change is the name.  The country is now called Benin.  For those who are not familiar with Benin, it is a small West African country, an ancient kingdom with a long history of kings, who reigned from the 1600's to 1900's.  Over one million people were enslaved from 1513 to 1886.  Many were taken to Cuba.  There the people practiced their voodoo religion.

Bounded by Nigeria, Togo, and Niger, today the country extends far beyond the ancient kingdom.   As you would expect, the coastal climate is very hot and humid.  Beyond the shore lies a series of lagoons and lakes.