9 Fun Facts About Benin: From Voodoo to Historic Kingdoms

Back in middle school, I struggled to remember Benin for a geography test on Africa. Determined not to forget it, I spent a weekend researching the country and learned it was once part of French West Africa. I also discovered how democracy replaced a former dictatorship and that African art and messages were carved into bas-reliefs (sculpted panels that preserve history).

But the most surprising thing I learned?

Benin City is actually in Nigeria, not Benin!

After all that research, I managed to ace the test, and Benin became a country I wanted to visit.

Here are some key facts about Benin:

Now, Benin is a perfect destination for a teen tour travel program, giving students the chance to explore its past and artistic heritage in person. Let’s take a look at 9 fun facts about Benin.

1. Benin was once known as the Kingdom of Dahomey

Benin encompasses the former Kingdom of Dahomey, a powerful West African state that existed from around 1600 to 1904. The Kingdom of Dahomey was known for its military prowess, including its female military corps known as the Ahosi, called the “Dahomey Amazons” by Europeans.

Benin’s southern coast was known as the Slave Coast due to active slave trading and participation in the Atlantic slave trade.

According to legend, the first palace of the Kingdom of Dahomey was built on the grave of a rival king named Dan, from which the name ‘Dahomey’ is said to derive (‘Dan’s belly’ or ‘in Dan’s belly’). What a way to show dominance!

What’s the difference between the Kingdom of Dahomey and the Kingdom of Benin?

The difference between the Kingdom of Dahomey and the Kingdom of Benin is that Dahomey was located in present-day southern Republic of Benin with its capital at Abomey (1600-1904) while the Kingdom of Benin was located in present-day southern Nigeria with its capital at Edo (13th century-1897). Though the two regional powers existed at the same time, they were entirely separate.

2. Benin gained full independence in 1960

France colonized Dahomey in 1892 and incorporated the colony into French West Africa in 1899. Benin gained full independence from France in 1960.

In the 1990s, the country was the first African country to transition to a multi-party democracy. Benin celebrates Independence Day annually on August 1st.

Here is a timeline highlighting Benin’s rise to independence:

1. 1946: Dahomey becomes a territory of France
2. 1958: Dahomey becomes self-governing (within the French community)
3. 1960: Dahomey gains independence and is admitted to the UN
4. 1975: Dahomey is renamed to the People’s Republic of Benin

>> Learn more about another French Colony: Fun Facts About New Orleans.

3. The official language in Benin is French but only 33% of the population speaks it

French is the official language of Benin. However, the language is only spoken by one-third of the population. There is no dominant language spoken in Benin; other major languages include Yoruba, Fon and Fula.

I studied French in high school, and forgot most of it, but I might speak more French than the majority of Benin’s population.

Top Languages Spoken in Benin

4. Cotonou is Benin’s economic center, not its capital city

Cotonou has a population density of 22,000 per square mile (8,600 per square kilometer), almost on par with New York City. Cotonou’s port is one of the busiest in West Africa, handling textiles and food for much of the country.

The sprawling Dantokpa Market in Cotonou is one of the largest open-air markets in West Africa.

Capital City of Benin, Porto-Novo

Did you know that Benin’s official capital isn’t its largest or busiest city? While Porto-Novo is the capital, Cotonou is the country’s largest city located on Benin’s southern coast and is the country’s economic powerhouse, known for its markets and urban life.

5. 65% of Benin’s population is under 25 years old

65% of Benin’s population is under 25 years old and the median age is just 17. This is due to the high fertility rates of approximately 4.9 children per woman. The country’s population growth rate is over 3x higher than the global average of 0.91%.

6. The bas-reliefs in the Royal Palaces of Abomey in Benin tell stories of triumph

The Royal Palaces of Abomey have clay bas-reliefs carved into their walls. These artworks stand out from flat surfaces and depict the Kingdom of Dahomey’s military victories and royal ceremonies. The bas-reliefs preserve the legacy of Dahomean kings through visual storytelling. Today, the palaces and the bas-reliefs are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The following are all of Benin’s sites recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

7. Voodoo is Benin’s national religion and has its own holiday

Voodoo is one of Benin’s national religions and has a recognized national holiday, National Voodoo Day, celebrated on January 10th each year. In 2024, Benin expanded National Voodoo Day into a two-day event called “Vodun Days,” celebrated on January 9th and 10th. Approximately 65% of the Beninese population believes in Voodoo.

Take a look at the video below of the 2024 celebrations and see if you are as excited as I am to witness this holiday one day.

8. There are 42 different ethnic groups in Benin

Benin has 42 unique ethnolinguistic groups, including the Fon, Adja, Yoruba, and Bariba. The Fon, the largest cultural group, makes up 38% of the population. Each community has distinct customs.

I thought my home country of Guatemala with 24 ethnic groups was hard to keep track of. I wouldn’t stand a chance remembering all 42 groups in Benin.

Here are the top five largest ethnic groups in Benin according to the most recent government census.