The Slave Trade in the Bight of Benin: Dahomey's Warriors and the Slave Coast

Lucas and Luna dive into the Slave Coast of West Africa, focusing on the Kingdom of Dahomey and its unique role in the Atlantic slave trade. They explore Dahomey's rise under King Agaja, the use of female warriors (the Agojie, often called Amazons), and the annual slave raids on rival states like the Oyo Empire and the Mahi. The episode also covers the European forts at Ouidah (Fort São João Baptista de Ajudá) and the trade's impact on Dahomean society, including the controversial "customs" ceremonies. Lucas explains how Dahomey's militarized state became a major supplier of captives, and how the trade's decline in the 19th century led to economic shifts and conflicts with the British. The conversation touches on key figures like King Gezo, King Ghezo (his pronunciation), and the French abolitionist Victor Schoelcher. #Dahomey #SlaveCoast #Agojie #Amazons #Ouidah #KingAgaja #KingGezo #OyoEmpire #Oyo #Mahi #FortJesus #FortSãoJoãoBaptista #VictorSchoelcher #Ghezo #Benin #BightOfBenin #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo