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Benin was known as Dahomey during the 18th century. Benin history is intertwined with the start and growth of the African slave trade. The dehumanizing business flourished in the west African area between the 17th and 18th centuries.
Documented Benin history starts with the arrival of European slave traders in the 17th century. The crisis caused by the slave trade promoted the foundation of the Kingdom of Dahomey in the later part of the 17th century. Dahomey was the conglomeration of a number of ancient Benin tribes that were living in the region. The Kingdom of Dahomey had a militaristic culture. Human sacrifice was practiced during the Dahomey period.
The slave trade occupies a prominent part of Benin history. The slave trade existed in the west African region for approximately 300 years. The slave trade prompted Benin to be nicknamed “ the slave coast”. The trade ultimately stopped when the governments of European countries dubbed the trade an illegal business practice. The last slave ship broke its moorings in 1885. Modern Benin is an amalgamation of the Kingdom of Dahomey with adjacent areas belonging to other west African tribes. This has led to the multi-ethnic network of tribes that inhabit the present day Republic of Benin
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