4.3 Imperial power of Oyo and Dahomey

Question 1

What characterized the rule of the alafins in Oyo?

Answer 1

They were regarded as divine kings, points of contact with the unseen world, and lived in seclusion surrounded by wives and officials.

They were subject to ritual murder or suicide and buried with sacrificial victims.

Question 2

What was the significance of the Bere festival in Oyo?

Answer 2

It marked the acclimation of successful rule by the alafin and was expected to ensure peace in Yorubaland for three years.

All sub-rulers had to pay homage and renew their allegiance at this festival.

Question 3

List the powers held by the alafin.

Answer 3

• Approved succession to all Oyo titles
• Highest judicial authority
• Direct control of the cult of Sango
• Commander of the Oyo army (lost this power in the C17)
• Appointed certain religious and government officials known as ilari.

Question 4

What role did the ilari play in Oyo’s imperial structure?

Answer 4

They acted as spies and taxmen, and their ranks included judicial, religious, and administrative roles.

They were divided evenly among sexes and had titles referencing the king.

Question 5

True or False: The alafin of Oyo had unchecked power.

Answer 5

False. His power was checked by the Oyo mesi and the Ogboni, which spoke for the politicians and the people, respectively.

Question 6

What characterized Dahomey’s governance by the early 1600s?

Answer 6

A strong centralized government where the king appointed all positions of authority and subjects were subservient to him.

Question 7

What was the Great Council in Dahomey?

Answer 7

The supreme decision-making body that represented all regions of the nation and met yearly to discuss issues.

Some historians argue it resembled a constitutional monarchy.

Question 8

How did the kings of Dahomey reinforce their authority?

Answer 8

By manipulating traditions of dynastic legitimacy and engaging in public human sacrifices during the Annual Customs.

Question 9

Who is credited with instituting the Annual Customs in Dahomey?

Answer 9

Agaja, in the early C18, as a continuation of the Grand Customs for his predecessors’ funerals.

Question 10

Fill in the blank: The Annual Customs involved human sacrifices primarily of _______.

Answer 10

war captives.

Question 11

What was the significance of the cult of Mawu introduced by Tegbesu?

Answer 11

It was aimed at consolidating his rule by gaining spiritual submission from subjects and controlling the worship of other deities.

Question 12

How did Tegbesu address the legitimacy threat posed by Allada?

Answer 12

By reviving the kingship of Allada in a subordinate role and appointing a new Agasunon to consecrate Dahomey kings.

Question 13

What was the Dahomian view of the kingdom’s relationship to the king?

Answer 13

The kingdom and its people were viewed as the property of the king, implying that their loyalty was tied to this ownership.

Question 14

What did the term ‘redistribution’ refer to in the context of Dahomian authority?

Answer 14

The practice where revenues paid in taxes to the king were distributed in gifts to subjects rather than being appropriated.

Question 15

True or False: The concept of the kingdom as the property of the king was primarily linked to military conquest.

Answer 15

False. It was more connected to the concept of the purchase of rights.

Question 16

Highlight three examples where local cults were adopted to ensure imperial stability.

Answer 16

• The cult of Dangbe after the conquest of Whydah
• The worship of Sakpata, the earth deity
• The cult of Mawu established by Tegbesu.

Question 17

What issues arise when political authority depends on the king’s redistributive functions?

Answer 17

It may create reliance on the king for resources and undermine independent local governance.

Question 18

What was the basis of Dahomian authority according to tradition?

Answer 18

The purchase of rights

Kings of Dahomey acquired authority by purchasing land and its protecting gods.

Question 19

How did the kings of Dahomey acquire political legitimacy?

Answer 19

By distributing gifts to subjects

This practice was seen as an expression of the king’s generosity, reinforcing loyalty among the populace.

Question 20

True or False: The legitimacy of Dahomian kings was primarily based on military conquest.

Answer 20

False

Legitimacy was more connected to the concept of redistribution and gift-giving.

Question 21

What was a significant action taken by Wegbaja to win the allegiance of the people?

Answer 21

Generosity in distributing gifts

This included customs of prostration and paying a share of agricultural produce as gratitude.

Question 22

What was the ‘Platform Custom’ in Dahomey?

Answer 22

An annual event where the king distributed gifts to the people

Gifts included coral, swords, beads, axes, and textiles.

Question 23

What role did the king’s monopoly over war captives play in Dahomey?

Answer 23

Increased the king’s capacity for largesse

This allowed the king to maintain a generous relationship with his subjects.

Question 24

What was one of the laws established by Wegbaja?

Answer 24

Guaranteeing possession of wealth acquired by individuals

This law also forbade the sale of anyone born in Dahomey out of the country.

Question 25

How did the Dahomian kings create an image of order and security?

Answer 25

By maintaining justice and preventing personal disputes ## Footnote This was emphasized through royal authority and judicial centralization.

Question 26

What was the consequence of the death of a Dahomian king in terms of order?

Answer 26

Anarchy and violence among royal wives ## Footnote This was intended to emphasize the need for a stable government.

Question 27

What was the role of the kpojito in Dahomey?

Answer 27

Female reign-mate to the king ## Footnote They were central to struggles for legitimacy and control.

Question 28

How did the kpojito help legitimize the king's power?

Answer 28

By linking royal lineage to previous land owners ## Footnote Myths described the founding of the royal lineage through significant female figures.

Question 29

What significant female figure was associated with the height of the kpojito's power?

Answer 29

Hwanjile ## Footnote She was a powerful priest and assisted Tegbesu in consolidating power.

Question 30

Fill in the blank: The palace population of women and eunuchs was called _____ .

Answer 30

ahosi ## Footnote This term referred to royal wives and included a diverse group of individuals.

Question 31

What was the significance of the ahosi in Dahomey?

Answer 31

Served as both state bureaucracy and king's household ## Footnote They were involved in various activities impacting national policy.

Question 32

What principle allowed women in the palace to rise to positions of power?

Answer 32

Advancement through merit ## Footnote Women could gain prestige based on hard work, intelligence, and political acumen.

Question 33

Why were slave women considered more trustworthy in the palace?

Answer 33

They had no contacts with their patrilineages ## Footnote This removed potential conflicts of loyalty.

Question 34

What was a common challenge faced by heirs to the throne in Dahomey?

Answer 34

Struggles against their brothers ## Footnote Control over the palace was key to maintaining power.

Question 35

Why were slave women seen as more trustworthy?

Question 36

How important were women in the accession of Dahomian rulers?

Question 37

How did the kpojito use religion to stabilise imperial power?

Question 38

What was the significance of palace control in the succession of Dahomian kings?

Answer 38

Control over the palace was key to control over the kingdom. Would-be kings sought this control to secure their claim.

Question 39

Who was Tegbesu and what did he do upon his father's death?

Answer 39

Tegbesu raced to the palace to take power as soon as he heard of his father's death.

Question 40

What military and political roles did women play in the Dahomey palace?

Answer 40

Women could aid or oppose a would-be king with military, political and religious power.

Question 41

What was the role of the beta in the cult of the python of Whydah?

Answer 41

The beta were thousands of female novices who held significant power and commanded their husbands.

Question 42

What challenges did Tegbesu face regarding the legitimacy of the dynasty?

Answer 42

Tegbesu faced a war of succession between rival princes and disputes over the legitimacy of the dynasty.

Question 43

What actions did Hwanjile take to stabilize the monarchy?

Answer 43

Hwanjile reordered the hierarchy of the vodun to reflect the dynasty’s interests.

Question 44

What was the significance of Mawu and Lisa in Dahomey?

Answer 44

Mawu and Lisa theoretically controlled all other vodun, reinforcing the monarchy's authority.

Question 45

How did Mawu and Lisa reinforce the ideological message of power in Dahomey?

Answer 45

They paired a female and male deity, establishing that power and authority derive from contrasting attributes.

Question 46

What characterized the succession battles in Dahomey after Tegbesu's death?

Answer 46

Bloody battles involving the palace and its female inhabitants characterized every kingly succession.

Question 47

How many women were killed following Kpengla's death in 1789?

Answer 47

595 women were killed over a two and a half day period.

Question 48

What was the outcome of the battles that took place after Agonglo's death in 1797?

Answer 48

About 250 died in the battles.

Question 49

How did the monarchy's legitimacy come into question after Tegbesu's reign?

Answer 49

The monarchy faced continued questioning of its legitimacy following Tegbesu’s death.

Question 50

What new emphasis emerged during Kpengla’s reign?

Answer 50

A new emphasis on the leopard founder of the Alladahonou.

Question 51

What significant event occurred under Agonglo's reign regarding Christianity?

Answer 51

Agonglo asked to install the Christian god in the palace, leading to the establishment of a shrine.

Question 52

What was Agonglo's motive for adopting Christianity?

Answer 52

He believed it would increase trade through Ouidah and garner arms from the Portuguese.

Question 53

What led to Agonglo's death?

Answer 53

He died in an attempted coup involving a conspiracy that included a palace woman who poisoned him.

Question 54

Who led the attempt to seize power after Agonglo's death?

Answer 54

A prince named Dogan led the first coup attempt.

Question 55

What was a significant factor contributing to the power of women in the Dahomey court?

Answer 55

The loss of males through warfare and the fear of palace coups by potential male heirs.