Was Dahomey A Barbaric African Kingdom?
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- Опубліковано 21 сер 2024
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So Dahomey became what they hated the most.
Yup basically.
Yes..kinda like the black Americans that was repatriated to Africa and founded the Liberian state...
@Prince Jaren the black american haded Liberia popping by enslaving and genociding the indigenous Africans there
@NNA S Good example!
80%of Haitians
I used to be so ashamed of my own History as a descendant of Abomeans (Dahomey's royal capital) but we cannot change the past. We need to tell the truth and help people heal, we also need to make our West African economies great again.
❤
I plan on investing in some West African currencies
This might be one of the few honest and insightful comments I've seen on this. Nations do need to reconcile, apologize and remember the terrible atrocities they committed. Then? Then people need to move on. Never forget, but move on.
Now if everyone could be as open-minded and forgiving to the white participants of slavery we could all start to get along and learn to understand each other.
@@robertmcbride1597 Not going to happen, because ever heard of imperialism? Colonialism? Yeah thats still going on today. What Africans have invaded European countries, changed the people language and religion, killed their president to destabilize other countries, put a base there or a puppet who will do everything you say, and piss off other powerful nations like China? You think it's only about slavery? Ha! If only. This is bigger than rap.
This is the most well-balanced perspective on the Dahomey people I've come across so far. You prove how utterly complex history, and life in general, can be. Things can't always be catagorised as good or bad. Informative and well thought out video. Thank you.
@@firefx99 spoken like a true meathead
Everything said in this video could be said about any civilization that developed and existed close to other kingdoms and cultures, including the portuguese or iberians who were enslaved by romans, islamics and goths before the age of discovery.
and, I would like to add, this excellent presentation, is immensely valuable to a muzunga like me. There are in fact demonic forces in life. Instead of interpreting the appearance of such evil as evidence of the true character of the people committing them, the western thinking should turn to realise how much they were and still are riding the evil to further excesses. Heart-felt thanks to the author. I would really like to meet him, discuss the nature of this evil, which befell Dahomey, and develop strategies against the continuation of the evil.
The only thing that everyone seems to be fine with categorizing as evil and bad, with no historical perspective, is the white people, who were trying to stop the slave trade since the early 1800s. There is no way to spin the behavior of the Dahomey Kingdom and the Agoji warriors, they were as bad as any evil empire that ever existed. It would be interesting to hear your explanation and rationalization of the Nazis.
@@johnclark538 Dahomey and Nazis were evil and no one else bases on their race has anything to apologize for, identity politics is incredibly stupid.
It’s crazy how you made this video 3years ago, and it is so relevant today due to the “Woman King” movie. I have seen a lot of criticism about the movie by a majority of black people because the movie was apparently “Downplaying” the Dahomey kingdom’s role in the slave trade. After watching the movie today, I still wasn’t understanding all the criticism about the movie. Watching you video made me understand why some people were mad, but at the same time it put everything in context. As you said, it’s not to defend the actions of that kingdom, but people have to do the effort of understanding the context of that time. Throughout history, people that were opposed, then got out of the oppression, become worst oppressors themselves. Look at Israel and Palestine, Chinese in Africa, or even African leaders on their own people. I definitely appreciate your work, more people should watch your videos, and I love how a video made 3 years ago is still relevant today.
My EXACT sentiments! That's why I support this video and one reviewing "The Woman King": ua-cam.com/video/eYA-f5k0ufQ/v-deo.html
Don't look at the downplaying of slavery, all movies downplay their role in slavery: Egypt, Romans, Greeks, Mayans etc. All of Hollywood's movies are fiction, even when they claim to be based on history. Last King of Scotland made up a fake white protagonist that never existed to appeal to white audiences. Don't hold this movie to a different standard. We want to learn about our history: warts and all and find out what we did wrong.
And I think it’s still lacking a few points.
HE DIDNT TALK ABOUT HOW THE MENS WAS TOOKEN INTO THE OYO ROYAL COURT…AND HE DOSENT KNOW THE DIFFERENT BETWEEN CAPTIVES AND TRANS ATLANTIC SLAVERY
I couldn't disagree more with you on "The Woman King" & the historical context of The Dahomey Kingdom's role in the TAST. Downplaying Dahomey's significant role in TAST deserves the same ire, loathing, disdain, & contempt from the descendants of slavery & oppression as it was directed to European colonists.
As a descendant of those enslaved, & a fan of Viola Davis' work, I'm not supporting the glorification of African slave traders & raiders. The backlash against TWK is well-earned. Thankfully, the algorithm put this video up because it supports why Dahomey, along with other tribes, were willing participants in TAST.
“Hurt people hurt people, & if you don’t process your trauma you stand to risk becoming the villain of someone else’s story.”
-Nique Marina
Uhhh what? Lol they weren’t hurt.. they were in power you fool 😂😂
They hurt others to project power.. and sold Africans for money tobacco and guns.
That is a very good quote. Thanks.
Funny...now do european hurt people hurt people...
nice excuse
You know it was dire when women had to go to war.
Dahomey could be brutal. But look at European history and even Asian history. And you will find brutality just as shocking. Humans can't stop being humans.
No..they cannot regardless of race...
So true..sigh
@Christopher Harper Digicash white people during world war 1 and 2 klld almost 100 million mostly other Europeans
Sound like the US
Dahomey did what they had to do for their existance. A small empire/tribe is always going to be more at risk than the dominant and major empires. What they did is what most empires around the world did! No empire started of big. The majority of large and powerful empires with praise, even the once in africa, didnt become so old, strong and large on one day.No opression, slavery, trading, religion/spirtuality, brutality etc all played roles. Dahomey were so despressed for freedom that they eventually became powerhungry and brutal themselves. However lets see Dahomey didnt become the warriors that they were, then they would have continued to be opressed and they would have become slaves themselves. Being peaceful, especially at that time, was never going to be rewarded. The only tribes that didnt have to be as brutal to defend themselves were the ones that were much bigger , larger in size and therefore had more power and impact over several regions as well as small tribes that didnt have the population and weapons to defend themselves.
I’m seeing parallels between the origin of Dahomey and Asante(Ashanti), both were being oppressed by another state and turned the tables. Though in Akan culture women didn’t swell armies they did lay significant roles. Like Queen mothers leading men into battle, women searching streets in war times for men who were hiding from battle, and traveling with husbands in war times to cook and even pass them gun powder. In Akan culture women nominated kings and could remove a king. Watching the women in Dahomey confirmed me thought the colonialism and Christianity brought down women’s status in many post colonial cultures.
Asante Akan Excellent points
Asante Akan damn. The info you just dropped was deep yo word up!! Got me looking at things a bit differently. I always says the black is to be next to her mate not behind. She enriches you.
Very informative.
I thought tha same thing
Just a little remark: Dahomey and the Fon people had women warriors, amazons, because the Royal Court sold even their best male warriors as slaves.
They needed big armies and so amazons, to raid their neighbours for capturing slaves.
It tells something about human greed, whatever the colour of the skin. The slave trade was a horrible perversion!
Any kind of slavery is an economic system that encourages greed to a dangerously high level, in some systems ideas like racism and class may be used to justify it, but greed will always be its solid foundation and greatest ambition
Africans did not benefit economically from selling off the Israelites. They were given trinkets and guns. They were deceived and many tribes and kingdoms turned on each other with the very same guns given to them by the devils who initiated the conflicts. smh
Ok?
They were fierce warriors who where always harassing Yoruba villages. My grandparents and elders told me a lot of stories about them when I was young they seemed so bloodthirsty then . It is nice hearing about them again. Thank you for making me remember those stories.
Your yoruba ancestors were just as bad with their wicked slave trading culture!
What’s nice about it ?
@@marionhill7134 their just proud of their historical "accomplishments"!
Oh ok, kinda like white southerners who proudly support the confederate flag.
@@marionhill7134 what are you even talking about, she never said that
According to a book i read they raided villages, cutting the heads of elders to take the children and carrying the heads back to their king in front of the captives that seen the heads of their love ones for days. We should hold them accountable because they became rich by selling slaves at that time. It was about money and wealth
facts
THEY JUST MADE A MOVIE ABOUT THESE PEOPLE ! BP ARE BOYCOTTING THIS MOVIE BECAUSE IT's GLORIFYING PEOPLE WHO FED THE SLAVE TRADE !
Jeremiah 16:18 KJV
@@soulfullysowingseeds Joel 3:6 The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border. 3:7 Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompence upon your own head: 3:8 And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken it.
@@makoshark69x96 did u actually see the movie? They were not being glorified
As usual a great thoughtful explanation of your opinion on Dahomey.
I agree that Dahomey was a product of a terrible time in West African history. It is easy, as a Black American to condemn this kingdom, but I choose to just be knowledgeable of our complicated history and learn to think, do & be better.
Yes, we should also not blame Europeans with slavery and colonization because from very first human civilization had slavery and conquering.
Thanks brother.
@@user-hf8zv7qw4l foolish
@@user-hf8zv7qw4l nice try 😏
@@user-hf8zv7qw4l you can blame them for racialized slavery and modern day white supremacy.
The depth and balance of perspective you brought to this difficult history was masterful. Thank you for covering this kingdom.
You should look into selling bitcoin.
I was so emotional watching this as I'm Fon from Benin (Ancient Dahomey). We have such a terrific history and we know it very well, time has changed and nowaydays Dahomeans are viewed in all of Africa as intellectuals. They're Historians, Teachers, Doctors and such, very pacific people. So much so that France wasn't able to interfere in our politics like they did in Cote d'Ivoire. Present day Benin in perfectly in harmony with its past and was the first african country to recognize its participation in the slave trade and officially APOLOGY.
We built La Porte de Non Retour in Ouidah as a memorial and made sure any afro-descendant looking for his lineage could find informations on his family bloodline.
I think Benin will play a major role in the future for the big return of the african diaspora all over the world, that's the least we can do.
That means a lot, and would go a long way towards healing especially to the millions of us born in the "New World" who descend from our noble ancestors who found themselves as human trafficking victims centuries ago. Thanks.
@@VanTConsult It means absolutely nothing, my Native American ancestors plight wasn't mine, my Senegalese ancestors plight wasn't mine, my Spanish ancestors plight wasn't mine. I thank God I won the lottery of life and was born in the USA, nothing my ancestors suffered or enjoyed in the past has effected me at all, and the same goes for 99.9% of everyone else. If you think because 250 years ago a person was sold as a slave somehow effects you today, you're sadly mistaken, and I would suggest to focus on God and read "The Bait of Satan: Living Free From the Deadly Trap of Offense"
Edit: Also the majority of black people, or us mutt's with black ancestors, didn't come from a lineage of slavery. I would wager dollars to donuts, you do not come from a slave, just as I don't. Best to focus on moving forward and let history be that, history. (Unless you're talking about going back to the beginning of time, then *every* single person is a descendant of a slave, as it was a widespread practice for thousands and thousands of years before Dahomey, or any other country in 1800's, even existed)
Would you suggest any prime source of Dahomey history?
An apology and that’s it. Lol that’s humanity for ya.
Who did they apologize to?
I went there to Benin a few years ago and my heart was so heavy. As we floated thru the village were people built centuries ago on stilts over the water where people built to get away from this ruthless King, I learned the scars have not healed (the people still live in them). I further visited the slave fort at Ouida, then the arch of no return leading to the ocean. This visit left me a very dark place. It wasn't like other slave ports in Ghana, Senegal or The Gambia. This one took a lot of processing for me.
Ronda Tyson thank you for sharing
I bet the stilt village is Ganvie.
I have to see thod thank you for your experience and insight
My sister, let that travel experience makes you stronger. Come back again, and again. Allow the sun to shine thru for a brighter future.
@@sunnya2203 yes it was Ganvie.
In order to heal we must learn the truth, no matter how painful it was. Great article and history lesson.
The truth is....Africans were selling off the Israelites. NOT other Africans. It was only when the various Europeans began taking their children did they fight back. Otherwise, the Africans were happy to receive trinkets and guns in place of our ancestors.
No kingdom or empire were peaceful they were all brutal. You broke down it properly I’ve been getting annoyed with mostly African Americans saying “Africans sold us” your video showed it was more complex. People who were responsible for selling other Africans could and did get sold off too. Oyo was enslaving Dahomey before they did the same to them. That means an African American can descend from the same slave selling peoples, who’s ancestors could have sold off ancestors of continental African.
Youre 100pct right fam im afrikan in america i dont call myself black american thats an insult to my afrikan ancestors in my oppinion i heard an associate saying once the nigerians dont like us they sold us into slavery back then i said brotha look about 40pct of so called afrikan americans are of nigerian heritage mainly igbo they were the largest group of afrikans transported to america in the 1800s i had to tell the story of igbos landing also but deep inside they know theyre afrikans they just fooling themselves like burna boys mom said before you were anything else you were afrikans
That what I've been telling those black Hebrews Israelites but they ignored the truth
@@bobbye.wright4424 right on
Exactly we descend from both victims and participants.
This brings the westerners method of divide and conquer into clear perspective. They pitched one tribe against the other and took the spoils of both tribes.
Nice bio. Thank you. As a Black american, I wish I could express to those who feel a weight from their connection to this history that they should be released from it. The descendants of Grecian Spartans don't feel past burdens from their ancestors atrocities. Nor the Romans, British monarchy, etc. Human evolution has repeated this since inception. The real harm is the silence, lies and shame of our collective human experience. Speaking/documenting truth is the healer and hopefully the means to never revisiting such cruelties in our present times.
Right!
othe"bad" peoples don't feel bad for being "bad", so neither should we. Got it. Also, The Spartans were 2500 ago, this is closer to 200 ;) Shouldn't they have known better. I mean even le ebil British were over it by this point. COPE!
@@KarlKarsnark Better approach is to point out the basic fact that the Spartans didn't feel one in the same with some ancient German ppl just bc they both were Europeans. I say this to say why ppl keep acting like Africa is one big Nation or Country instead of many different tribes & nations on the same African Contintent?
Eloquently put!
But black Americans like you continue to complain about slavery in America 157 years after it ended.
At first glance, dahomey aint da homie lmao
😂
This is the first study of Dahomey Kingdom that provides a balanced look at the geopolitical, economic and national security stressors that shaped the culture and societal practices. Well-done.
You explained this video really well.
I appreciate how you observe from all angles to help us see different points of views on how and why actions like these were taken, even when you don't agree with it 100% yourself, you still seek to try and understand where someone is coming from.
That's what makes you a great teacher.
👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿💯💯💯, 🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹, The Haitian Mother’s are the Protection of the Future Kings. Dahomey, Benin 🇧🇯, Ghana 🇬🇭.
What I gather from this is when trauma is inflicted on people you do not get to dictate how they respond or the measures they take to shield themselves from experiencing that trauma again. Even if that means that the victims take on the persona of the culprits, and perfect the role.
I am sure the Romans justified their empire to protect themselves from perceived threats. It is a slippery slope to give people a blank check to commit atrocities because they were traumatized. I guess you can view it like a woman who is raped. There has to be a hard limit on how far vengeance can be allowed.
@@science4jeff who is in a position to dictate what someone's limit to protect themselves should be when the worst has happened to them? If more people from the Dahomey Kingdom was captured and brought to the U.S. and enslaved, slavery wouldn't have lasted as long as it did and there would have been a PLETHORA of carnage.
This is a dangerous situation, because the same can be said about what's happening between Israel and Palestine. It's a pretty good example of oppressed turned Oppressor. It poses the question of how much leeway should be given and when is it time to stop. Because things have been bad over there for decades. It doesn't seem to be slowing down.
@@toxicland4072 The only people who are in a position to determine that are the people who have been on the s**t end of the stick. So, once Palestine positions itself and decides to go full force and beyond NO ONE is in a position to tell them when enough is enough because NO ONE has told Israel to chill out and enough is enough. Everyone's been sitting back watching it all play out while also watching Israel get ADDITIONAL funding and weaponry to carry out attacks. History has shown us that EVERYTHING eventually comes full circle...
@@science4jeff America is under heavy judgement as we speak. Are you going to limit the amount of vengeance waged by The Most High?
My brother, your presentations are exquisite! I appreciate you for sharing your knowledge and for the undoubtedly long hours of research. African Americans & American Africans need this information. So, I share your content as much as I can. It does not strifle me when I find out that many of our people don't want to know. They prefer to be dumb and become confrontational when presented with historical facts. ...So sad. Thanks Brother! Kevy Michaels
Brutality of mankind never ceases to amaze me. I guess in hindsight Africa is no different, it just hit different when it's your people.
One of the greatest warriors the world has seen, Jean Jacques Dessalines, was taught military tactics from his Dahomey aunt. Dessalines used those tactics to drive the French and the Spanish from Hispaniola (Haiti is the western part of the island while the eastern part of the island is The Dominican Republic). Dessalines was the one who was responsible for the success of The Haitian Revolution of 1804. This revolution was the real reason why the enslavement of Africans by Europeans stopped. So if you look at it the Dahomey also played a pivotal part in putting an end to African chattel slavery.
@Stanley Dougé Toussaint and Dessalines are two different people. While Toussaint may have started the Haitian Revolution, he died in a French dungeon from tuberculosis before the Haitians defeated the French. Dessalines warned Toussaint not to trust the French when they called for d'etat, but Toussaint still went and met with them. He was kidnapped and sent to France by order of Napoleon Bonaparte. After the imprisonment of Toussaint was when Dessalines took charge. Dessalines won the revolution not Toussaint.
@Large Marche The change from Haiti's tropical climate to the relatively cold climate of France and being imprisoned in a dungeon was a death sentence for Toussaint.
Not one of the greatest warriors that ever lived that's going way too far bro. He defeated a few thousand european soldiers from collapsing colonial empires. Impressive but not all time great impressive.
@@Larry_Suave Are you even black Larry? You sound like a European apologist. You like white girls, right?!
OG Larry yes, he was one of the greatest warriors the world has ever produced...you don’t know shit about African history!
Home Team, thank you for this knowledge.
Seeing as 20 million Africans were kidnapped and marched to the border and 10 million got on the ships. 10 million died during the forced trek, suicide or killed in the manner you described here. I had heard of this practice but I had no idea the rationale behind it, so thank you for the info.
I think we can all agree history was brutal partially because of scarcity and greed. We should now acknowledge our Good Fortune with all the innovations that make it more than possible for everyone to be able to eat and treat everyone how you would wish they would treat you, if not at least to honor and ask for forgiveness of our ancestor's sacrifices, injustices and exploitation.
And not to argue your point. But there is no evidence and impossible to transport that many people to a land that took months to get to shackled under the boat. The passing of gases, bow movements, and urine alone create toxic gases. That is the story they tell us. The truth of the matter is most so called African Americans were already here in America. They didn't bring that many people here to America because it's impossible especially when we can't find a boat no where. European documented damn near everything because they tend to lie and exaggerate. 80-90% of us were already here in America with proven documentation and notable references.
Yet we still are as brutal.if not worse. From world war 2 with the atomics in Japan, to Vietnam to Afghanistan to Iraq,Syria, libya and now Ukraine. Humanity has not changed, we have just become more efficient in propaganda. We make everyone believe that things have changed but I think not so much.
500 years from now people would say a whole lot of this same things about our present. Especially the US.
those were Israelites, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob, the shemmetic people our descendants, africans are hammatic people, the dehomey tribe were hammites, Noah had 3 sons: Shem, Yapheth, Ham, out of those sons were different tribes, but Shemmites or Israelites were the chosen people of The Most High Yahuah, Babylonians and Egyptians enslaved Israelites too cuz of disobedience which why were still under curses today: Deuteronomy 28:1-68, Leviticus 26:1-46.
@@harelnunn5971 here we go with fake biblical characters who didn't even exist Roman Greco Bible
King James Bible:
Amos 3 vs. 1 Hear this word that the Lord hath spoken against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,
Amos vs. 2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
Leviticus vs. 17 And I will set my face against you and ye shall be slain before your enemies: They that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.
Leviticus vs. 18 And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.
Leviticus vs. 19 And I will break the pride of your power, and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass.
Deuteronomy 28 vs. 52 And he shall beseige thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thy trusted, throughout all thy land: andb and he shall beseige thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the Lord thy Eloyhiem hath given thee.
Psalms 83 vs. 3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
Psalms 83 vs. 4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Isreal may be no more in remembrance.
Psalms 83 vs. 5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:
Psalms 83 vs. 6 The tabernacles of Edom( Caucasians ), and the Ismaelites( Arabs ); of Moab( Chinese ), and the Hagarenes( Arabs );
Psalms 83 vs. 7 Gebal( Arabs ), and Ammon( Japanese ), and Amelek( Caucasian jew head tribe of all caucasians ), the Philistines( Africans ) with the inhabitants of Tyre ( Africans ).
2 Chronicles 7 vs. 14 If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Ezekiel 39 vs 23 And the heathen shall know that the house of Isreal went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword.
Revelations 13 vs. 10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Acts 3 vs. 19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
Matthews 4 vs. 17 From that time Jesus( Yashua ) began to preach, and lo say, Repent: for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
Why is it that every single action by Europeans involved in the enslavement of Africans falls under the blanket generalized label of "evil", whereas every single action by Africans involved in the enslavement of other Africans falls under...well... "you have to examine it in context"? I'm sorry but none of the "context" you provided makes Dahomey's actions look any less evil! And I'm sure every apologist for the European's role in the enslavement of Africans can provide their own fair share of "contextual" explanations to justify what was done by them in the name of "survival", "necessity", and appeal to "the times", etc.
Evil is evil -- whether carried out by a European or an African.
Well the Aztec were our Dahomey (for the natives of the Americas) they would sacrifice thousands a year
Some things are common throughout the world on almost every continent. North and South America, Asia, Europe, and Africa. I'm not sure about Australia and that region. Antarctica is irrelevant 💁🏽♂️
Not nearly as much as its said to be tough, those numbers come from conquistadors accounts, which tryed to satanize the mexica ("aztecs") in order to justify their conquest.
@@alexanderguerrero1395 you’re right maybe it wasn’t thousands, the Spanish did more killing in the end!
@@alexanderguerrero1395 But it was significant, also they stablished a system of ceremonial battles fought with the purpose of having people to sacrifice, in fact the conquistadors army had a huge number of native americans in it defying aztec’s yoke
I only came here because I was watching a youtuber review about Woman King , so I paused the video to be fair and went to watch the trailer and read the comments that said the British wanted to stop the slave trade , so I needed more information to be impartial, and I decided to know who the characters were, since they said it was a real story, note empires are not built with hugs . After watching your video I came to a conclusion . Well , humanity . proving once again what we all already know, no one has clean hands in this world .
Standard tribal warfare that we have seen throughout all of human history.
You can blame others for your choices but you know that you are responsible for yourself.
These Dahomey chose to be victimizers instead of victims.
Thank goodness that this evil cycle was finally brought to an end by men and women who actually cared about human beings as a whole.
Instead of these tribal types who only care for their in-group.
Finally a right account of what happened in those days. Power, wealth and politics played a big role in those days. Dahomey was a smaller kingdom in those days and was looking to expand then. It could not survive unless it expanded. They were threatened by the Oyo empire, the Hausa and the kings of Ghana and later the europeans. Any kingdom quite frankly after being formed did similarly in those days. I came to this world through a Yoruba king Alafin Agboluaje from the Oyo empire but was born in Benin republic. We are not proud of what we did to one another and have forgiven each other. We enjoy a relatively peaceful cohabitation in Benin.
@Sylvanius Ross We will and we will be back as number one
powerful message
The Hausas didn't pose a threat to Dahomey. The Hausa kingdoms were independent so Dahomey didn't face the threat of imperialism unlike the case with the Oyos and Ashantis.
@@sunnya2203 did you hear of agadja who by the intermediary of migan intercepted a caravan of Hausa merchants.
En tout cas faut plus répéter les mêmes erreurs c'est sûr.
I really commend your efforts to bring us the truth. Africans in the diaspora have to understand that this was a different time where there were no hollywood type good or bad guys. It was a crossroad in our common history during which there was a lot of grey, and like most things, we could not paint everything in black and white. Some of the Afro descendants in the Americas are descendants of African victims and perpetrators of the slave trade. Could you by the way do a video on this Fulani prince of fouta Djallon who used to sell slaves but ended up sold to a plantation in Virginia?
That sounds exciting
PSA2 That’s a great video idea! Thanks
@@hometeamhistory806 Thank you, I am looking forward to it!
@Jay Ed No, I said that you had perpetrators among those enslaved, in this case Fon people of Dahomey and Yorubas from Oyo. While the wars were going on people who previously had captured others ended up being captives on ships. That's why I mentioned the case of this famous Fulani prince who you used to sell captives but ended up sold to the US.
@Jay Ed You're welcome
As likely the reason for the creation of the "Woman King" movie, you can't condemn the European for the atrocities of the slave trade if we don't condemn our own for being active participants. I speak for myself, but the Dahomey don't deserve a pass for their crimes against their people. Heck, their actions likely weakened Africa to the point where colonization was possible.
Problem is all civilization all throught participated in slavery so dont just blame Europeans. They were just doing whats normal in that time.
Yeah I’m glad they show the Dohemy participating in slavery in the movie it helps show how nuanced it is
PREACH!
@@user-hf8zv7qw4l there is nothing normal about human sacrifice
@@Peecamarke yes I see the irony.
This is a very informative and eye-opening video.
Most of us don't' know these details.
All I will say is never again. Never again.
perfectbeat
Be very careful. That's what the DAHOMEY'S said before selling other black people into slavery. Let's grow for this hard to swallow historical lesson. When we know better.
We can do better. PEACE.
human history has a whole lot of "be the villain to avoid being the villains victim" no matter where you go
i was always taught that Dahomey was a voracious and willing partner in the slave trade for no other reason than the desire for European guns and trinkets. and that they had awesome female soldiers. thank you for giving us some deeper context. I can see that if they were not so aggressive and self-interested they would be enslaved themselves. I still can't forgive it but I can understand it. self-preservation I a helluva motivator.
It wasn't even worth it! Some of them were still taken into slavery by europeans after they sold out other Africans!
@@honeyblossom17 some but not the most powerful families who really were really selling the slaves
@@baseupp12- I said SOME.
@@honeyblossom17 Some of them.. Before that the entire tribe was subjected to slavery.
I understand self preservation...but they became monster's that eventually were destroyed...they crossed the line...
Why isn’t this fascinating history taught more in the mainstream or in schools? It would explain that we are all human and not races…to those that obsess in segregated tribalism nowadays.
Dahomey influenced Haiti and other colonies. A slave in Haiti expected to live up to a year or less. It was Mino tutelage that inspired the revolution. As we can see, humans when pressed, exert their power for their freedom.
We become what we fear.
In my African ancestry I am mostly Congolese then Dahomey (Benin)
Having black Jamaican parents, I'm also 'afro descended'. Dahomey does not sit well with me either. I grew up in a black environment in the UK that was heavily influenced by Rastafarian thoughts of 'Black Unity' and great black history and so on. Then I read about how Dahomey people and west Africans in general risked their lives to sell each other into slavery for guns, cloth, shells and trinkets on a massive scale. The Europeans themselves had to stop Dahomey people from trying to sell fellow Africans into slavery. Their whole society was dependent on the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade. And as for their 'Annual Customs' in which at times thousands were beheaded is nothing short of sickening. We Jamaicans don't use the 'N Word', but if Niggerism is a thing, a culture, a way of life then Dahomey has to be its definition.
I have been to Jamaica and my wife's Jamaican. I disagree with you about using the N word. I heard it so much in JA. You'll say it with meaning with the added er at the end.
The most important thing to keep in mind when looking at The Dahomey Kingdom and ones like it, is that the modern idea of a black people, that exists now, didn’t then-They didn’t sell their own people, they sold their enemies. Wrong yes, but it wasn’t based on some racial cruelty to their own. But nonetheless, it was a stark example of man’s inhumanity to man. It isn’t about race in my eye. All men are men, regardless of race.
So yes the Dahomey should trouble us-But not because they upset some modern racial concept of black unity. But because they killed human beings and tore apart societies and families.
As the European need for flesh and manpower grew, so did the supply that powerful African rulers held increase.
A vicious feedback cycle, and one that destabilized Africa.
@@russell311000 So have I and tge many times i have been there, I was there for two months for one visit, and I never heard it either - not even in passing conversation.
@@mscardioqueen You probably went to the tourist area's.
@@richlisola1 indeed well said. Just to give it some further context. The word "slave" is related to "slavic" and means the same thing. Imagine an entire group of nations of people in Europe are literally called "slave".
That's how bad slavery was in Europe itself. One nation enslaving and oppressing the other everywhere. Africa, Europe and beyond. Greek and Roman empires were literally built on slaves that were grabbed from around the known world at the time.
Middle eastern empires same. Ottomans and Babylonian empires.
In my humble opinion, slavery continues to this day. Approximately 20-30 million ppl are slaves in Qatar and Dubai and Arab Emirates. They fly there hoping to make a little money building the glass towers, only to be tricked into slavery. The authorities confiscate their passports (illegal move). They are trapped, die on construction sites daily and end up committing suicide. Tell me this isn't slavery.
In the Congo and other African countries, exploitation of children and families in extremely dangerous mines continue to this day, so we can have our precious products in the west. Sad.
They were brutal, barbaric slavers. Nothing to glorify.
You mean like America and England?
@@jeromepowell1873 yes, like the British were. Do you glorify them, smartass?
You can’t fully call Dahomey a barbaric kingdom because they too many of their own to slave raids(3rd to 5th largest tribe take in the slave trade).In fact the Dahomey amazons were formed because many Dahomean men were taken in either slave raids or had to be given as slave tributes.In fact I’m Haitian and many elements of Dahomey culture are in Haitian culture because of the tons of dahomey slaves brought to Haiti.
The dahomey who participated in the slave trade should be demonized as much as the white racist slavers who did,still dahomey as a kingdom can’t be given the same blame as the English or any other slaver European power simply because they enslaved less and had their people taken as slaves as well compared to the European powers who had ZERO of their own taken in the transatlantic slave trade
lmao, wow, just wow
I've read of Haitians commiting massive genocide of all white and mulato people on their side of the island. Scary stuff. Than they tried going over to Dominican Republic in order to continue the blood shed.
@@trinibroadcasters thank you, I’m glad I wasn’t alone
Pull yo head out yo ass, homie
Who were doing these slave raids? They were the one who did the most of the slave raids? But even today some of them will find pride in telling these kind of story. And mock the other.
😲 OMG....I am Aja. I've been looking everywhere for more information on my ppl, culture...heritage!!! Thank you HomeTeam❤
❤️💯✊🏾 One of your best short documentaries!!!
If we all could accept that we all have dark pasts and histories and focus on building a bright future for everyone instead of playing the "who's more evil" game.
Nah I'd rather point fingers
You tell that for the people demanding "reparations" in 2022.
@@naija60 So go ask for reparations from the descendants of the African tribes who cooperated with White Slavers and make this whole history of atrocities possible to begin with. 🤷♂
"Those that do not know their history are doomed to repeat it"... George Santyana
Exactly!!! Russians enslaved forced other Russians into perpetual peasantry (ie serfdom) for centuries. Japanese massacred millions of East Asians during WWII. Native American tribes such as the Utes were major slave traders of other Native American tribes. Every nation has a dark history of injustice towards its own people. Learn from the past, and don’t make the same mistakes in the present
Great piece
Goblack2africa what's up
Thank you for this balanced and honest insight. I was searching for answers and found your work in a sea of knee-jerk one-sided commentary. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Until you are faced with the decisions and conditions of others, it's hard to make a judgement-and perhaps we don't have to. A true account of history forces our lens to go broader, deeper and vast. If we take good care and are diligent in our study, the victim and the villan are no longer clear. Thank you for this contextualized humane account of our African ancestors. As we all struggle to understand how we got here, we need a compassionate reflection of the past-especially if we are to avoid repetition. Power, trauma, violence, domination shows up in everyone's history. Thank you for your vulnerability in struggling with the material- knowledge is a journey. Great video.
A villain is always clear in history. Throughout this video I heard European repeatedly.
A person or group who has been abused and conditioned by that abuse will develop a response to triggers.. sometimes that response is survival by any means necessary.
But make no mistake, the root of the actions stem from that/those original encounters.
@@daughterofdiaspora Tis true. Still, they made a choice and it wasn't a great one. I do believe it is clear who the villain is in many instances because they still dawn the spoils of the wars they incited against many nations who were unaware of the intentions they came with...
He did not give a clear account of history. Africans did NOT sell other Africans. The Dahomey's did NOT delete other Africans. Africans were selling and the Dahomey's were deleting ppl from the Tribe of Judah (Israelites). There is still a city in Dahomey that is called Quida. Quida means Judah. The Tribe of Judah occupied that land before the Dahomey ppl. In 70 A.D. after the Romans destroyed the 2nd temple, approximately 1 million Israelites (Tribe of Judah) fled down into Africa. The Romans took many captives and expelled them in 1492. Some Israelites fled down into Africa, some fled into Portugal. Those who could not pay the entrance fee into Portugal had their children forcibly taken and shipped into mainly Angola (West Africa) and into St. Thomas. West Africa at the time was Portuguese colonized land. In 1501, the Portuguese and Spanish slave trade began. Those who did not leave were shipped into West Africa. From 1501 to 1517, only those who were in Angola, but were born in Portugal were allowed into the U.S. as enslaved ppl. Again, Africans were selling the Israelites for trinkets and guns, NOT other Africans. Most Israelites did not get caught up in the slave trade and are still in Africa. Africans and Israelites are different Black ppl. Africans are Hamites (from Ham). Those in the Diaspora are Shemites (from Shem). Israelites from the Tribe of Judah.
@@miram2053 The Dahomey ppl were fully aware of the intentions of the Europeans. They witnessed and heard how they deceive others. The Dahomey made it clear that they were not doing business with them. Unfortunately, they used our ancestors (the Israelites) to drive that point home. They did NOT delete their own African ppl.
As an Irish descendant first generation Australian, I really shouldn't have any connection to this subject as, geographically, it's a world away from my home. Yet, I feel a deep ancestral connection to this subject...I was fascinated with African Americans watching Sesame Street in 1984-85-86, I wanted the braids and beads and shells in my hair, I longed for the beautiful skin tones. They say what fascinated us as children is a clue to our past lives.
I really appreciate your honest perspective as a descendant yourself, I have been thinking what you have just said here, it's nice to get that confirmation of the sadness I felt to learn that this tribe contributed to slavery, which I feel very few people know. And, as a mother, I greatly respect the women who fought to try protect their children. Much love and light and healing brothers and sisters xox
I'm descended from the Dahomey, and I also li e history...including Irish history and European medieval. X
Im from benin and i love to know you more and be friends
Again, thank you for your scholarship AND openly separating your personal views. BRILLIANT!!
Thank you for this complex history; the nuance is much needed to understand and draw lessons from.
Wow! Glad someone put this sad history out for all to know.
Africa needs a Dahomey mentality against invasion from Asia and Europe
WOW! Your scharlorship in clarifying the obscure and the mysterious legends of history is unparalleled, impeccable and excellent.
The story of the DAHOMEY KINGDOM is our CLASSIC STORY.
They were a peaceful and civil people before the influence of the European oppressors on the Yuraba and all of Africa to enslave one another for power , prestige, and leverage.
They learned the ways of thier oppressors and used thier tactics of brutality for thier own protection, empowerment, and survival.
Sounds familiar.
They clearly became what they were fighting against.
It's so ironic how thier legacy has been negatively narrated and the Europeans and other Africans are not looked at as the same.
Is it because of thier success in resistance as a kingdom.
PEACE. 😎😎😎
The Woman King confirms everything you said just saw it a few hours ago!
You are going to make a lot of pan-africanist angry with this video.Because a lot of them swear up and down that Africans had no part in the transatlantic slave trade. I have been and I still do get into many heated discussions with Africans from the continent over this subject.
BLOODY POND LIVES that’s how they got the slaves to my understanding. the losing side was sold into slavery for weapons
BLOODY POND LIVES
Most were kidnapped
BLOODY POND LIVES
Find another video to troll
Sol i Not trolling stupid the guy that's narrating the video basically said the same thing. West Africans were very complacent in the transatlantic slave trade. Facts don't care about your feelings.
BLOODY POND LIVES
You are trolling you could not wait to make an ignorant comment
I know I’m not the only one jamming at the intro and outro! (HEY hey, HOO hoo...!) 💃🏾
Anyway, for real 😆 this was very informative! Some bits to chew on and process. It’s good to know their story also. Thank you 😊
For an even closer look read it in detail Kossula's confrontation with dahomey in the book "Barracoon, story of the last back cargo". He actually live to talk about it..
And now there is a movie that talks about what you presented years ago. Well done
There's a review of "The Woman King" with this historical context: ua-cam.com/video/eYA-f5k0ufQ/v-deo.html
Every action always have a trajectory, it’s draws you deeper and deeper and you never know when you start doing things you taught you could never do. Humans really need to be aware of their actions and its consequences.
Dahomey descendant here ✊🏿
I enjoyed this little history lesson. Thank you for taking the time out to do this and break it down in a way that was easy to understand. I look forward to watching and learning more and have subscribed to your channel.
He failed to say how the Africans were NOT selling off or deleting other Africans. They were deleting and selling the Israelites. This land that the Dahomey's occupied were originally occupied by the Israelites. Quida, one of the cities there, means Judah. The Africans in Dahomey' were selling off and deleting the Tribe of Judah. (Israelites).
The comments to this video are deep and informative on such a controversial yet complex subject. Thank you all for the deeper understanding
lots of people here saying that all cultures do horrible things, but all of them ignore the fact that almost all cultures had managed to at least create something else to trade with foreigners other than slaves
This video is absolutely PRICELESS right now,considering the release of 'The Woman King.'
I was gonna write the same thing!
The first comprehensive look at this group, I've seen since seeing the movie. You really put things into perspective. Most respond (or react) to the Woman King movie with an emotional "They were brutal", "They participated in the slave trade. " And that's it. Many African kingdoms participated in the slave trade. Slavery was a way of life in Africa. No attempts to understand how this came about. Understanding it doesn't excuse it. But it helps us understand how things evolved the way they did.
So they were like african Vikings
Thank you so much for this important history. I'm from Nigeria and had no knowledge of my neighbor's history or what my neighboring state of Oyo's part was. I'm from Ogun State, Nigeria.
Love the content. I have family who still live there now. It is pronounced
Dah as in Dad
Ho as in Hoe
Mey as in May the month
Hope this helps
Dahomey mean home of the tribe of Da (Dan) and the world Da mean snake ...they are original member family of the Yoruba people ...they introduce idolatry to the region ...and today they surround themselves with images of snake ...the blessing of Yakwob upon Da is he will be like a snake by the road that bite horses heal and course it to tumble..down....they are one of the lost tribe...that migrated to west Africa..just as Yoruba too..
The Homie
@NNA S they are the only tribe that hardly get snake bite....
And also there is the Gadamgbe tribe..call GAD...they are also watrior...in fact one of the tribe member was a well known minister of national security for the EYEO (Oyo) empire ..the call him Bashorun GAh
@@iTuber012 they are colonized by French that how they got that homey ..in case you don't know...
So Dahomey basically sold Israelite tribes into slavery got it.
A vicious cycle. Very tragic
I wish these modern YT "Historians" would sight a source now and again.
I really think you are pushing it to try to completely blame European slavery for the killing of thousands of slaves. The people they enslaved was their enemy who they hated, sacrifice was part of their religion just like the Aztecs and Maya. When a king died 4000 slaves was killed in his honour. It's like trying to blame the Allies for sinking German ships stopping them sending Jews to Madagascar. I think it's just that you can't come to terms with the fact that slavery especially to America could not have happened without the support of Africans. And the truth that the colonisation of Africa by Europeans ended slavery. But today continues with Africans.
Which Africans? You know it is a continent full of 54 countries? Mention those countries who embark in slavery and don't limp us into one group. Imagine if I said, Asia is a becon for sexual slavery. How'd a Japanese feel?
This is disingenuous as hell dude.
Almost sounds like they were like the Aztecs
in that they did sacrifices. this is no excuse but i wonder if the aztecs were previously subjugated only to do what they did later as an extreme measure of repeating it in the future? also so many people ignore that execution of war prisoners was also something that a european leader we celebrate for halloween named dracula did, but he's white so i guess he doesn't count because no one is trying to use him as a talking about against white people like so many people are using dahomey against blacks.
Interesting
What are your sources for this information? Can you provide a few books please on the topic? Thank you. Bless
Was involved in slave trade. Answers all the questions right there
Facts black enemies
I’m here before UA-cam deletes this video to fit their agenda
Well , this history just reinforces for me that I come from dynamic and adaptable people .I don't have to forgive or hate anyone.i don't believe in theological or moralistic history there no one to blame. I know my great grandfather who pick cotton in South Carolina and his father who fought in the civil war in the battle of Nashville were strong men who dreamed of a better world not kingdom... I am their spawn and the beat goes on. We inherit our father's world.Our task is to make this world better place for our young in such a small window of time...
Ashe!!
I just love this video already as I made research on Google about Dahomey after watching the movie "The Woman King".
I never realized it was Nigerian history.
This is so amazing.
Thank you for pointing out that slavery in Africa was far from the trans Atlantic slavery, after all, mensah Musa's slaves wore silk n gold.
Yes and he sold them to the arabs of egypt. The people of Senegal despise mansa musa for his actions ,it did not benefit the african people. He is an example of those brainwashed african leadrs who need validation from their masters.whether those leaders are anglophiles,Arabists,francophiles,communist/zionist sympathizers or homophiles their decisions and actions have always been destructive to the african people. africa fell because criminal leaders put the interest of foreign peoples and gods before their won people and GOD. That in summary is the reason for Africa's present plight.
@@maxwell6525 Good point, Mansa Musa ended up being the richest man in the world, and instead of using that wealth to make his state a world power,,, the dude literally crossed oceans of sand to go shamelessly "take the knee" in Arabia to the religion of foreigners.... so shameful.
O X I thought he didn’t take a knee
@@mrmister1657 take a knee =make salat in Mecca. Mansa Musa was a modern day Floyd Mayweather. Instead of holding stacks of 100’s to his ear, it was gold
i don't know the name of the narrator but i would like to invite you to Benin republic and Nigeria, and Cote D'Ivoire by passing Ghana too if you're interested. I live in California but would support your trip there. you will live with my family in each country.
I want to go🙋🏾♀️
@@roslynwilliams4917 we can plan for that. My family in Benin does not speak English though so you might need a translator
@Heru Behudety until the lion can speak the hunter will always be glorified
@@koudousmoutairou6074 I will hire a translator
@@roslynwilliams4917 Learn french then you won't need a translator
Dahomeyan influence is rampant in Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic and Brazil. I bear no ill will towards their history especially when so many African kingdoms were doing the same thing…
Not so many
Stop making excuses for Africans and having low expectations. We will never progress and will remain on the bottom. What Dahomey experienced is nothing new. Many other Kingdoms did not have resort to selling slaves to have modern society. Just like now. Colonialism is not the root cause of Africa's problems. Tribalism and development and ego are the root cause of Africa's problems. Stop the excuses and call like it is and stop romaticizing history.
Stop your nonsense
Colonization isn't the root cause of Africa's underdevelopment? That's interesting.
The story of this tribal nation may be fascinating from a historical and academic pov but from a lived experience/ this happened to me and my ppl pov, there is no admiration extended. Slavery is genocide. And anyone or group of ppl or nation of ppl participate in it or any other genocide/ ethnocide should not be glorified.
I have yet to see Jewish people celebrate any of the things Hitler did prior to his actions in the holocaust. Or how skillful he was to galvanize politically and move his position via a nation of ppl. No you don't. And not should we. The West coast of Africa is filled with tribes that sold our ancestors into Slavery world wide and as a person on the losing end of that issue, i will never celebrate them.
"You and your people" were also participants of the sla.ve trade. You sold and were also sold.
Doesn’t sound like he’s celebrating them but understanding and educating
Due to the aurguments IAM seeing on social media because of the (movie) the woman king I wish this video was more wide spread. Some of the things being said out of emotion instead of fact are ridiculous and damning to us as a whole. Glad I refound it. Keep up the good work brother as always.
That tribe was selling other tribes into slavery idgaf what time it was that’s sick
Got my first HomeTeam product in the mail today. Looking forward to more purchases
It's sad because The horrible situation of the European slave trade had literally left the Dahomey morally and culturally bankrupt 💯.
Anyone here after the Woman King trailer?
When Dahomey ain’t da homies no more 😕
Bruhhh
Ba dum tss
Context is everything. It does not excuse atrocities...but context is everything.
The Zulu was totally different than the Dahomey. The Zulu offered a chance to join them vs enslaving them.
The Dahomey are Africans. The Zulu in South Africa are Israelites. They are the Tribe of Gad. There is a difference. The Dahomey, like other African tribes were NOT selling or deleting other Africans. They were selling the Tribe of Judah (Israelites) for trinkets and guns. It was only when the various Europeans went after African children or Africans from the royal court did Africans began pushing back. Africans are Hamites. Israelites are Shemites. Different Black ppl.
It almost sounds like he’s trying to justify their way of life. I thought chattel American slavery was the worst form of slavery, unfortunately I was wrong .
no. the narrator just said how the dahomey came to be as bad as they were to other tribes. because they were an extreme response to being subjugated themselves.
there are accounts of slaves living in the Bowles of Roman ships rowing oars their whole life all the shiting and eating in place.
slaves working in salt mines in the blistering heat .
we tend to block out all other forms of slavery deliberately
This is important especially with the questions being asked about the Agojie (Mino) in Dahomey.
Excellent video.. You always make great content. But this is one of my favorites.
Thank you for this documentary. Truth is most afican nations benefitted from the slave trade. It IS a part of our History and I for one am grateful that HISTORY teaches,, and we can choose to be better or worst off from it.
They did a lot of voodoo too
It wasn't the brutality of the kingdom that distinguished it, but the fact it was the last stronghold of slavery, which ironically was ended by white men.
Don’t hate the player hate the game. They did what they had to do to survive and not be sold into slavery a second time. Being complicit in the trade was the only means they possessed to obtain the weapons they needed to ensure their freedom. It sucks, but I can’t say that I blame them.