4.0 Rise of Oyo and Dahomey Flashcards
What natural defensive features did Dahomey have?
Mahi swamplands, forests and rainforests.
What did Dahomey do to strengthen the natural defensive features around it?
Dahomey kept the forests wild.
What natural defensive features did Oyo have?
Thick forests north of the Lagos lagoon.
How far inland was the kingdom of Oyo?
300km inland
When did Nupe invade Oyo?
1535
How long did Nupe’s occupation of Oyo last?
80 years
Alafin Ajagbo expanded where?
Alafin Ajagbo expanded to the south west towards the coast.
What was the area of Oyo by 1680?
150,000 square km
What environmental factors contributed to Oyo’s success?
Savannah: unforested.
Free from tsetse fly.
How did Oyo gain access to the coast?
It forced Allada to pay tribute and could pass through its borders to trade with Europeans.
How did the Oyo maintain social and cultural unity?
- Promoting kinship based on common Yoruba language
- Common religion: worship of Sango
Was there any Muslim influence in Oyo?
Very little. The only example are educated Arabs part of administration in 1787.
When did Oyo reach the height of its power?
Under Alafin Abiodun (1774-89)
When did Oyo collapse?
1835
When was Abomey founded?
Early 1600s
Who founded Abomey?
Do-Aklin, brother to the king of Allada.
When did Abomey become Dahomey?
Under Agaja in the 1720s, describing the new, enlarged territory.
How did Dahomey prosper in the 1720s?
Slave trade
Who was the Yovogan?
The chief officer of Dahomey.
When was the Brazilian priest greeted to Dahomey?
April 1797
What was the Brazilian priest’s name?
Father Vicente Pires
