The modern country of Benin, located in West Africa, was formerly known as Dahomey.
The decision to change the name from Dahomey to Benin was made in 1975 by the then-President of Benin, Mathieu Kérékou.
Several reasons motivated this name change:
Cultural and Historical Significance:
The name “Benin” was chosen to reflect the historical and cultural significance of the Kingdom of Benin, a powerful and influential pre-colonial kingdom in the region now known as southern Nigeria. By adopting the name Benin, the country sought to draw a connection to this historical legacy and assert its cultural identity.
National Identity:
The name change was part of a broader effort to promote a sense of national identity and unity among the diverse ethnic groups within the country. By adopting a new name that was not associated with any specific ethnic group, the government hoped to foster a sense of shared national identity among the people of Benin.
Political Reasons:
The decision to change the name from Dahomey to Benin also had political implications. President Kérékou, who came to power in a Marxist-Leninist military coup in 1972, sought to distance the country from its colonial past and establish a new socialist identity.
The name change was seen as a way to break with the past and signal a new direction for the country.
Overall, the decision to change the name from Dahomey to Benin was motivated by a combination of cultural, historical, national identity, and political factors. The country sought to assert its independence, promote unity, and establish a new identity for itself on the global stage.
