Dahomey

[ duh-hoh-mee; French da-aw-mey ]

noun

1. former name of Benin ( def 1 ).
2. Also called the Kingdom of Dahomey. a former kingdom in what is now southern Benin that existed from around 1600 to 1900.

Dahomey

/ dəˈhəʊmɪ /

noun

1. the former name (until 1975) of Benin

Other Words From

• Da·ho·me·an Da·ho·man [d, uh, -, hoh, -m, uh, n], adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Dahomey¹

First recorded in 1780–90; from Fon dã homè; literally, “belly of Da, snake's belly”

Example Sentences

The voice emanates from the artifact labeled “26,” a statue of Dahomey’s King Ghézo.

From Los Angeles Times

The top prize at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival was given to “Dahomey,” a documentary by the French filmmaker Mati Diop about 26 looted artworks that were returned to Benin from France in 2021.

From New York Times

The deal followed French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision in 2021 to sign over 26 pieces known as the Abomey Treasures, priceless artworks of the 19th century Dahomey kingdom in present-day Benin.

From Seattle Times

The Dahomey, also called the Fon, in West Africa traditionally believed that women had three souls and men had four.

From Scientific American

That other sensation – let's call it intrigued bemusement – stems from the subject the film would feature, the Dahomey kingdom's woman warriors.

From Salon