Dahomey, kingdom in western Africa that flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries in the region that is now southern Benin. According to tradition, at the beginning of the 17th century three brothers vied for the kingdom of Allada, which, like neighbouri
Benin City has long been famous for its“bronzes”—actuallybrasswork, some of which is said to date from the 13th century—and for its ivory and wood carvings. The Benin City National Museum, has a notable collection of some of the kingdom’s early pieces. The city’s presentartisansstil...