BENIN > AFRICA >   INDEX


Provinces in Benin : Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Mono, Oueme, and Zou.

The country is a long stretch of land perpendicular to the Coast of the Gulf of Guinea [ Atlantic ]. It is bordered on the north by Burkina Faso and the Republic of Niger, on the east by the Federal Republic of Nigeria and on the west by the Republic of Togo.

Capital City of Benin: Porto Novo


car hire, hotels, travel agencies, travel guides, transportation / traveling to benin

links


Car Rental Benin

 Europcar 
Only new rental cars [ average age only 6 months ], All inclusive prices, 24 hours roadside assistance, 24/7 service most airports.
 Avis
 Hertz

Hotels in Benin

 

Travel Agents / Tour Operators

 Bukima Adventure Travel
 Mountain Travel Sobek -
 Truck Africa - camping safari's - last great overlanding challenge
The idea of TA is to provide such a quality overland trips at a realistic price more likely to appeal to the adventurous in spirit.



 Responsibletravel.com - African safaris & holidays
100's of holidays to Africa from dozens of leading specialist tour companies and accommodations who are passionate about conserving Africa's wildlife and benefiting its people.

Travel Guides Benin / Related Books

 Show Me the Magic: Travels Round Benin by Taxi 
Annie Caulfield, Andy Smith (Illustrator)
This is a travel book about Dahomey (Benin) - an inhospitable country in Africa where corruption is rife and where Catholicism shares a place with Gri Gri, the local Voodoo. The muslim north of the country is arid and tough, whereas the south is colourful, sophisticated and artistic. The countryside ranges from pretty English rural, to arid sub-Sahara. Annie experiences this country of contrasts from the back seat of a taxi driven by a wacky control freak called Isidore.
Paperback 384 pages (April 24, 2003); Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd.; Language: English; ISBN: 0141001364
 King Guezo of Dahomey, 1850-52: The Abolition of the Slave Trade on the West Coast of Africa 
Tim Coates
In order to bring an end to slave dealing the British Navy went in search of the final traders and offered them large sums of money in exchange for firm promises to give up their lucrative business. Guezo, King of Dahomey had an army of 3000 women, to each of which he was married, having sold all the menfolk as slaves. For entertainment he indulged in the sacrifice of trespassers from neighbouring West African countries. He welcomed the approach of the naval officers, declaring Victoria and Albert as his closest friends. This work explores various aspects of Guezo's life including descriptions of ceremonial human sacrifice and the army of Amazon women. There is also coverage of mechanisms of dealing in slaves; British gunboats sent to the coast of West Africa; and the problems caused for British diplomacy, and colonials and missionaries.
Paperback 235 pages (February 28, 2001); Publisher: Tim Coates; Language: English; ISBN: 0117024600
  Benin Country Study Guide [ expensive! ]
Geography, history, people, language, culture, traditions, economy, government, politics, constitution, places to visit, info for travelers.Updated annually
Paperback 348 pages (February 2, 2005); Publisher: International Business Publications; Language: English; ISBN: 073971418X.
 The Rough Guide to West Africa - Jim Hudgens, Richard Trillo
This guide to West Africa explores all the visitable countries in West Africa, from Mauritania and the Cape Verde Islands in the west, to Niger and Cameroon in the east. The colour introductory essay highlights the regions attractions, picks out the various route and travel options and touches on some of the great range of cultural and scenic impressions that any visit will make. Each chapter covers the relevant country with attention to detail, including special attention to the practicalities of travel, thoroughly researched hotel and restaurant listings, and a carefully researched background on wildlife and the environment, culture, history, politics and music.
Paperback 1296 pages (November 27, 2003); Publisher: Rough Guides; Language: English; ISBN: 1843531186.
Lonely Planet West Africa
by Anthony Ham (Author), James Bainbridge (Author)
Paperback: 904 pages; Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; 6 edition (October 2006); Language: English; ISBN-10: 1740597710; ISBN-13: 978-1740597715

Transport / How do I travel to Benin

 Cotonou Airport [ no web page found 200411 ]
Other airports in Benin: Djougou Airport, Kandi Airport, Natitingou Airport, Parakou Airport, Save Airport
 Togo Airport [ then take a three hour cab to Cotonou ]

 Air Togo [ Benin - Togo v.v.]
 Air France US 

 Airline Tickets / Bargain Flights

 Africa Lines
One of the most comfortable, reliable methods of transportation in Benin, especially when traveling to the northern part of the country, is the bus. Africa Lines has a daily schedule, with early morning departures from Cotonou to Parakou, Natitingou, and Kandi. The bus also makes several stops in large towns along the way such as Allada and Bohicon, and will pick up passengers there as well if space permits.

 Zemis [ motorcycle taxis ]
One of Benin's main forms of transportation, "zemis" are motorcycle taxis found throughout Cotonou. The term "zemi" means "get there fast" in the local Fon language.

 Map of Benin [ Uni Texas - Perry-Castañeda Library - Map Collection ]


Links 

 Travel Insurance

 Benintourisme.com - Tourist Board [ French & English languuage ]
 Government - Republique du Benin - Porteil du Gouvernement du Bénin

 Porto Novo - Capital City of Benin - see Porto-novo.org
ILocated on Porto-Novo Lagoon, an arm of the Gulf of Guinea, 13 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean and about thirty kilometers from Cotonou..
The founder of the kingdom, prince Adja TÊ-AGBALIN called it " Hôgbonou " (the entrance of the big house) whereas Yorubas gave to the city " Adjatchè's " name (conquered by Adja).

 Atakora
 Atlantique
 Borgou
 Mono
 Oueme
 Zou

 Abomey - former capital of the great Dahomey kingdom.
 Allada
 Cotonou - seat of government of Benin - Benin's gateway city
Transportation and communications hub, , is situated on the Gulf of Guinea.
 Dassa zoumé
 Ganvié
 Grand Popo
 Kandi
 Koussoukouangou
 Natitingou
 Nikki
 Ouidah - voodoo centre of Benin, 40 km from Cotonou
Ouidah features the Musée d'Histoire de Ouidah / Voodoo Museum, various other museums and temples, a park known as the Sacred Forest and the sacred, symbolic and historical Route des Esclave [ the Route of the Slaves].
 Possotomé
 Savalou
 Tanéka-Koko
 Parakou

 Bénin Contact - CNF de Cotonou
Extensive information on Benin, in French, from AUPELF-UREF and REFER [ le Réseau électronique francophone d'information ].
Kota falls
 Marché Dantokpa [ Cotenou ]
One of the largest open-air markets in West Africa
 Pendjari park
 Stilted fishing villages in the lagoon near Porto Novo
 Tanougou waterfalls

History of Benin

Independence: 1 August 1960 (from France)

The African kingdom of Dahomey originated in Benin. By the 17th century, the kingdom, ruled by an oba, stretched beyond the borders of present-day Benin, covered a large part of West-Africa. The kingdom was prosperous and established slave trading relations with the Europeans (mostly Portuguese and Dutch) who first arrived in the late 15th century. The coastal part of the kingdom became known as the Slave Coast.
By the 18th century, Dahomey started to fall apart, enabling the French to take over the area in 1892. See for more Benin's History [ Kingdom of Benin, Colonial Benin, Post-colonial Benin ]

 Archives Nationales du Benin
 Abomey Historical Museum
Today a town in the Republic of Benin situated on the Gulf of Guinea, Abomey was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Danhomè. It is about 65 miles from the coast. The Royal Palaces in the heart of the city are major material evidence of this civilisation.
The Abomey Historical Museum, under the tutelage of the Ministry of Culture and Communications, Direction of Cultural Heritage, was created by the French colonial administration in 1943. With a surface of about 5 acres, it is situated on the palatial site and comprises the palaces of King Guézo and King Glèlè. The entire palatial site extends over approximately 108 acres and has been on UNESCO's World Heritage list since 1985. It is a culmination of history, living culture and tourism.
 Ouidah: The Social History of a West African Slaving Port 1727-1892 
Robin Law
Ouidah, an indigenous African town in the modern Republic of Benin, was the principal pre-colonial commercial centre of its region, and the second most important town of the Dahomey kingdom. It served as a major outlet for the export of slaves for the trans- Atlantic trade. Between the seventeenth and the nineteenth centuries Ouidah was the most important embarkation point for slaves in the region of West Africa known to outsiders as the 'Slave Coast'. Exporting over a million slaves, it was second only to Luanda in Angola for the embarkation of slaves in the whole of Africa. This is the first detailed study of the town's history, and its role in the Atlantic slave trade. Its central concerns are the organization of the African end of the slave trade, and the impact participation in the trade had on the historical development of the African societies involved. It shifts the focus from the viewpoint of the Dahomian monarchy, represented in previous studies, to the coast. Here is a well documented case study of pre-colonial urbanism, of the evolution of a merchant community, and in particular the growth of a group of private traders whose relations with the Dahomian monarchy grew increasingly problematic over time.
Paperback 320 pages (November 9, 2004); Publisher: James Currey Publishers; Language: English; ISBN: 0852554974
 Ethnographique Museum of Porto Novo
 Homin Museum - Porto Novo
Contains cultural artifacts from all over the country, with a great deal on the history of Porto Novo itself.
Homin museum is located at the former compound of the Royal palace, and you can see the King's dining room , the shrine where the kings used to test their food against poisoning, the queen mother's kitchen (a powerful person in the kingdom and often an aunt of the king), the training place of new kings, and finally an exhibition of all the kings' talismans, important allies in the every day rule of the kings.

Cuisine - Benin Foods / Recipes

 South of the Sahara: Traditional Cooking from the Lands of West Africa 
By Elizabeth A. Jackson
Come and discover the rich and sultry blend of meats, tropical fruits, vegetables, grains, spices and oils that served as the foundation of West African life for centuries. The history of these lands is as rich as the spicy food. Learn about ancient empires and the origins of modern nations as you choose from a selection of 120 tempting dishes.
Paperback 204 pages (June 25, 1999); Publisher: Fantail

  The Best of African Cooking  
By Manjase Banda (Author), Esanjam (Producer)
Paperback: 144 pages; Publisher: Esanjam; 2 Revised edition (March 14, 2007); Language: English; ISBN-10: 0954682130; ISBN-13: 978-0954682132

Music, Art & Culture, Events & Entertainment

It is believed that Vodun (or "Voodoo", as it is commonly known") originated in Benin and was introduced to Brazil, the Caribbean Islands, and parts of North America by slaves taken from this particular area of the Slave Coast.
Since 1992 Vodun has been recognized as one of Benin's official religions, and a National Vodun Holiday is celebrated on January 10.

 Voodoo: Mounted by the Gods 
Alberto Venzago (Editor), Wim Wenders (Editor)
A glimpse into the world of Voodoo, this companion to a documentary by Wim Wenders presents photographs and film stills by celebrated photojournalist, Alberto Venzago. In 1988, Albert Venzago set out to cross Africa on a Vespa. After miles in the blistering heat, it broke down in a remote village in Benin. There he encountered Mahounon, one of the most influential voodoo priests of West Africa. Abandoning his planned trip, Venzago set out instead on an odyssey through the world of African voodoo, to which he and his camera gained extraordinary access. Venzago followed Mahounon with his camera for nearly ten years, filming secret Voodoo ceremonies and sacrificial rituals. He witnessed Mahounon's extraordinary search for a successor to lead the cult, and he watched as the anointed eleven-year old boy, Gounon, was schooled in black and white magic, rituals, and the intricate workings of the Fa, or Voodoo oracle. Venzago's camera evokes the religious ecstasy of these ceremonies as well as their otherworldly atmosphere. His photographs illuminate this mysterious and potent Voodoo culture and religion
Hardcover 224 pages (October 1, 2003); Publisher: Prestel Publishing Ltd.; Language: English; ISBN: 3791329839.

Web Portal / Search Engine / Directory

 Beninensis - Pour en savoir plus sur le Bénin!
Le Bénin en bref, Système politique et droits de l'Homme au Bénin, L'économie du Bénin, Histoire du Bénin, Internet au Bénin, Populations et langues du Bénin, L'éducation au Bénin, Cartes, drapeau et hymne national du Bénin, Géographie du Bénin, Le tourisme au Bénin, La santé au Bénin, L'agriculture au Bénin, Art et culture au Bénin, Le sport au Bénin, La musique au Bénin, Les médias au Bénin
 Beningate
All about Benin. Discussion forums, classifieds, news items from Benin newspapers, penpals section, trade shows, business people
 Beninweb - Bénin, Business, Tourisme et informations utiles
 Links about Benin - Stanford University
 Porto Novo


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