Slave Trade in the Kingdom of Dahomey (1658–1849)

Abstract

This study focuses on one of the most important and tragic activities during the European colonial period in Africa: the slave trade. The research explores the specific case of the Dahomey Kingdom, which became a central hub for the trade starting from 1658. European powers developed several mechanisms to support and expand this activity, including offering African kings material rewards such as weapons and luxury goods in exchange for enslaved people. The Kingdom of Dahomey was one of the most organized and active centers along the Guinea Coast, attracting many European traders due to its structured system and strong leadership. The slave trade continued in Dahomey until 1849, when Britain issued a ban on the trade in an effort to stop the deportation of Africans overseas—though forced labor and exploitation continued in different forms within the continent. This study aims to understand the mechanisms of the trade, its impact on Dahomey, and how it shaped the kingdom’s social and economic history.