Abomey, Zou Department, Benin — West Africa
Gbehanzin, King of Danxome
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, September 13, 2023
1. Gbehanzin, King of Danxome Memorial
Gbehanzin Roi du Danxome.
(1890-1906)
"I will never agree to sign any treaty that could alienate the independence of the land of my forefathers."
Gbehanzin, King of the Danxome.
(1890-1906)
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Wars, Non-US.
Location. 7° 11.056′ N, 2° 0.468′ E. Memorial is in Abomey, Zou Department. It is on RNIE4, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and specifically West Africa. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 10 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: IFAN (approx. 1.3 kilometers away); Palace of King Guezo (approx. 1.5 kilometers away); Palace of King Agonglo (approx. 1.5 kilometers away); Palace of King Glele (approx. 1.5 kilometers away); Les Abris Souterrains du Plateau d'Abomey (approx. 8.5 kilometers away).
this page online
Regarding Gbehanzin, King of Danxome. The marker text was originally made of metal letters, but most have been removed and most likely stolen for scrap. The marker transcription is taken from earlier online photos.
Also see . . . Behanzin at Wikipedia. "Over a series of battles and guerilla warfare by the Fon attempting to slow the French march towards the Dahomey capital of Abomey, the French were victorious, sustaining only 85 casualties to the estimated 2000 to 4000 killed among the Fon. On November 5, 1894, following the loss of the royal palace, Béhanzin sent a truce mission to the French forces, but it failed. King Béhanzin, refusing to let the capital fall into enemy hands, burned and evacuated the city. He and the remnants of the Dahomey army fled north as the French entered the capital on 17 November, and installed Béhanzin's brother Agoli-agbo as the new King. After failing to rebuild his army, King Béhanzin eventually surrendered to the French on 15 January 1894. He lived out the remainder of his life in exile in Martinique and Algeria." (Submitted on December 1, 2023.)
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, September 13, 2023
2. Gbehanzin, King of Danxome Memorial Reverse
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, September 13, 2023
3. Gbehanzin, King of Danxome Memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2023, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 248 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 1, 2023, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
