Book

Dahomey, an ancient West African kingdom: volume 1

Northwestern University PressEvanston [Ill.] • Published In 1967 • Pages:

By: Herskovits, Melville J. (Melville Jean).

Abstract
This book focuses on the Fon-speaking people of West Africa historically associated with the emergence and expansion of the Dahomey Kingdom. Centered in the city of Abomey, now in Benin, this kingdom was ruled by hereditary monarchs that claimed absolute control over the life and property of subjects. A great deal of the book is devoted to discussing the religious, economic and sociological conditions that led to the continuity of this complex political system possible. The book is the first part of a two volume work compiled based on ethnographic data collected in 1931. The author also makes extensive use of earlier accounts by European travelers and traders. The most important of these accounts was compiled by E. Burton who lived in Abomey in 1863-1864. Grouped into major headings, coverage of this volume includes geography and history, economic life (including detailed discussion of production, distribution, property, and how each of these related to Dahomey culture and political organization), social organization (with particular emphasis on kinship, clanship, and secret societies), and major customs and rituals related to life cycles.
Subjects
Form and rules of government
Chief executive
Territorial hierarchy
Ethos
General character of religion
Animism
Priesthood
Cult of the dead
Tillage
Local officials
Community structure
Congregations
Internal trade
External relations
Slavery
Inter-ethnic relations
culture
Fon
HRAF PubDate
2016
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Western Africa
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Anthropologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Teferi Abate Adem ; 2014
Field Date
1931
Coverage Date
1845-1931
Coverage Place
Benin (Dahomey)
Notes
[by] Melville J. Herskovits
Reprint of the 1938 ed.
Includes bibliographical references (v. 2, p. 373-376)
LCCN
67031811
LCSH
Fon (African people)
Ethnology--Benin
Benin