King of Dahomey

The King of Dahomey (Ahosu in the Fon language) was the ruler of the Kingdom of Dahomey, in the southern part of present-day Benin, which lasted from 1600 until 1900 when the French abolished the political authority of the Kingdom. The rulers served a prominent position in Fon ancestor worship leading the Annual Customs and this important position caused the French to bring back the exiled king of Dahomey for ceremonial purposes in 1910. Since 2000, there have been rival claimants as king and there has so far been no political solution. The Palace and seat of government were in the town of Abomey. Early historiography of the King of Dahomey presented them as absolute rulers who formally owned all property and people of the kingdom. However, recent histories have emphasized that there was significant political contestation limiting the power of the king and that there was even a female ruler of Dahomey, Hangbe, who was largely written out of early histories.

First King of Dahomey

Multiple lists of the Kings of Dahomey have been put together and many of them start at different points for the first King of Dahomey. In various sources, Do-Aklin, Dakodonu, or Houegbadja are all considered the first king of Dahomey. Oral tradition contends that Do-Aklin moved from Allada to the Abomey plateau, Dakodonu created the first settlement and founded the kingdom (but is often considered a "mere chief"), and Houegbadja who settled the kingdom, built the palace and created much of the structure is often considered the first king of Dahomey. Oral tradition contends that the kings were all of the Aladaxonou dynasty, a name claiming descent from the city of Allada which Dahomey conquered in the 1700s. Historians largely believe now that this connection was created to legitimate rule over the city of Allada and that connections to the royal family in Allada were likely of a limited nature. In oral tradition of most accounts, Houegbadja is considered the first king and recognition of him happened first in the Annual Customs of Dahomey.

List of Kings of Dahomey

Rulers of Abomey Before Kingdom of Dahomey

Tenure	Ruler	Notes
c.1600	Do-Aklin or Gangnihessou	Leader of Fon settlement on Abomey Plateau.
c.1625 to 1645	Dakodonou, Ahosu	Founder of Kingdom of Abomey and built the palace.

Rulers of Kingdom of Dahomey

Tenure	Ruler	Notes
1645 to 1685	Houegbadja, Ahosu	In most accounts the first King of Dahomey.
1685 to 1716	Akaba, Ahosu
1716 to 1718	Hangbe, Regent	Hangbe was ruler of Dahomey for a short period of time between the death of Akaba and the rule of Agaja. Bay argues that there is clear evidence that suggests Hangbe did rule for a period, but it is unclear whether it was for three months or three years. She is not included in any lists of Dahomey Rulers.
1718 to 1740	Agaja, Ahosu
April 1740 to 1774	Tegbessou, Ahosu
1774 to 1789	Kpengla, Ahosu
1789 to 1797	Agonglo, Ahosu
1797 to 1818	Adandozan, Regent	Excluded in some lists
1818 to 1858	Ghezo, Ahosu
1858 to 1889	Glele, Ahosu
1889 to 1894	Béhanzin, Ahosu	Final independent King of Dahomey
15 January 1894 to 1900	Agoli-agbo, Ahosu	Appointed to the position when the French conquered Abomey.

King of Dahomey ceremonial title after 1900

Tenure	Ruler	Notes
1900 to 1940	Agoli-agbo, Ahosu	In exile and served with French restrictions
1940 to 1948	Aidododo, Ahosu
1948 to 1983	Togni-Ahoussou, Ahosu
1986 to 1989	Joseph Langanfin, Ahosu
30 September 1989 to present	Agoli Agbo Dedjalagni, Ahosu	Since 2000, Houédogni Béhanzin has made a rival claim to the position
22 January 2000 to 30 December 2012	Houédogni Béhanzin, Ahosu	Rival to Agoli Agbo Dedjalagni for position since 2000. He died in 2013

Sources:

See also

• History of the Kingdom of Dahomey
• Royal Palaces of Abomey
• Benin
• Fon
• Fon states
  • Rulers of the Fon state of Alada (Allada)
  • Rulers of the Fon state of Savi Hweda
• Lists of office-holders