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Benin Traditional polities



Agwe

1812                       Ewe state of Agwe founded (partially in present-day Togo).
1895                       State annexed by France.
1901                       State reconstituted under French/German colonial authority.

Rulers 
1812 - 1821                Komlagan
1821 - 1833                Katraya
1833 - 1834                Agunu
1834 - 1844                Toji
1844 - 1846                Kponton I avumbe
1846 - 1858                Hanto Tona
1858 - 1873                Soji (Komin Agidi)
1873 - 1889                Atanle
1889 - 1894                Ahrlonko Butiyi
1894 - 1895                Kwasihela Diogo
1901 - 1930                Abalo Bajavi
1930 - 1935                Kofi Titriwe
1937 - 1945                Augustino Olympio
1946 - 1949                Kponton II



Ajache Ipo (Porto Novo)

1688                       Fon kingdom of Ajache Ipo founded, originating in split
                             in royal family of Alada; state known to Europeans as
                             Porto Novo.
23 Feb 1863 -  2 Jan 1865  French protectorate.
14 Apr 1882                French protectorate declared.
 7 Feb 1908                Annexed by France; royalty continues to 1976.

Kings (title Ahosu)
1688 - 1723                Agbanlin I 
1723 - 1739                Hiakpon
1739 - 1746                Lokpon
1746 - 1752                Hude (f) 
1752 - 1757                Messe
1757 - 1761                Huyi
1761 - 1765                Gbeyon
1765 - 1775                Interregnum 
1775 - 1783                Ayikpe
1783 - 1794                Ayaton
1794 - 1807                Hufon                              (d. 1807)
1807 - 1816                Ajohan                             (d. 1816)
1816 - 1818                Tofa I                             (d. 1818)
1818 - 1828                Hweze                              (d. 1828)
1828 - 1836                Toyon                              (d. 1836)
1836 -  8 Sep 1848         Meyi                               (d. 1848)
 8 Sep 1848 -  3 Feb 1864  Soji                               (d. 1864)
11 Feb 1864 - 23 May 1872  Mikpon                             (d. 1872)
 4 Jun 1872 - 26 Jun 1874  Mesi II                            (d. 1874)
16 Sep 1874 -  7 Feb 1908  Tofa II                            (d. 1908)
Chefs supérieurs
10 Feb 1908 - 22 Oct 1913  Gbedisin Tofa                      (d. 1913)
1913 - 1929                Huji                               (d. 1929)
1929 - 1930                Toli                               (d. 1930)
1930 - 1940                Gbehinto                           (d. 1940)
1941 - 194.                Gbeso Toyi
194. - 19 Jul 1976         Alohinto Gbeffa                    (d. 1976)



Alada

c.1550                     Fon kingdom of Alada founded by emigrants from Tado
                             (see Togo traditional states); known to French as
                             Allada or Ardres.
Mar 1724                   Conquered by Danhome.
1734                       Danhome permits institution of subordinate royalty,
                             from 1780 belonging to original dynasty.
18 Nov 1891                French protectorate declared.
22 Jun 1894                France re-establishes kingdom.
1909                       Annexed by France; royalty continues as chef supérieur.

Kings (title Ajahutonon or Alada hosu)
c.1590 - 1610              Kopon 
1610 - 16.                 Hunungungu
16.. - c.1660              Lamadje Pokonu
c.1660 - ....              Tezifon
.... - ....                gBagwe
.... - Mar 1724            De Adjara
17.. - 1742                Mijo
1792 - 1842                Ganwa                              (d. 1842)
1842 - 1885                Ganji Sinje "Ajahutonon-Kpevi"     (d. 1885)
1885 - 1894                Gi-Gla No-Don Gbe-non Mau
1894 - 1909                Gi-Gla I Gunhu Hugnon              (d. 1909)
Chefs supérieurs
1909 - 15 Dec 1923         Jihento                            (d. 1923)
1923 - 1954                Kanfon                             (d. 1954)
1954 - 19..                Gi-gla II
King
 2 Dec 1992 -              Kpodégbé Djigla



Danhome

c.1600                     Fon kingdom of Agbome founded, originating in split
                             in royal family of Alada.
c.1700                     After expansion, kingdom renamed Danhome (known to
                             Europeans as Dahomey).
 5 Aug 1885 - 22 Dec 1887  Portugal declares a protectorate over Dahomey.
15 Jan 1894                Danhome defeated by France, is split into successor kingdom
                             of Agbome (Abomey) and restored kingdom of Alada (Allada).
12 Feb 1900                Agbome (Abomey) annexed by France; royalty continues.
 

Kings (title Ahosu)
c.1600 - c.1625            Do-Aklin
c.1625 - 1645              Dakodonu
1645                       Ganye Hesu
1645 - 1685                Wegaja
1685 - 1708                Akaba "Wibega"                     (b. 16.. - d. 1708)
                           - jointly with - 
1685 - 1708                Hangbe -Queen 
1708 - 1727                Agadja Trudo "Tossu"               (b. 1673 - d. 1727)
1727 - 17 May 1774         Tegbessou "Avissu"                 (b. 1703? - d. 1774)
1774 - 17 Apr 1789         Kpengla "Guansuna"                 (d. 1789)
1789 - 1797                Agonglo "Sindozan"                 (d. 1797)
Apr 1797 - 1818            Adandozan "Madogugu"
                            (possibly originally regent to 1804)
1818 - Dec 1858            Gezo "Gbalangbe," "Zedoko"         (d. 1858)
Dec 1858 - 29 Dec 1889     Gelele "Kinikini," "Ahogla,"
                             "Togodo," "Basagla"              (d. 1889)
30 Dec 1889 - 15 Jan 1894  Gbehanzin "Chadakogundo"           (b. 1844 - d. 1900)
15 Jan 1894 - 1940         Agoli Agbo I (1900-1918 in exile)
1940 - 1948                Aidododo
1948 - 1983                Togni-Ahoussou
1986? - 1989               Joseph Langanfin?
30 Sep 1989 -              Agoli Agbo Dedjalagni              (b. 1935?)
22 Jan 2000 -              Houédogni Béhanzin (rival king)

Viceroys of Ajudá (title Chacha/Xaxa)
(appointed by the kings of Danhome/Dahomey)
1818 -  4 May 1849         Francisco Félix de Souza           (b. 1754 - d. 1849) 
1849 -  3 Jul 1858         Isidoro Félix de Souza             (b. 1802 - d. 1858) 
1858 - 18..                António Kokou Adékpéti
18.. - 1864                Ignacio Félix de Souza
1864 - 23 Jul 1880         Francisco "Chico" de Souza         (b. 1824 - d. 1880)
1880 - 1887                Julião Félix de Souza              (b. 1832 - d. 1887)
1887 - 1888                Lino Félix de Souza                (b. 1830 - d. 1888)
1888 - 1917                Post abolished
1917 - 1956                Norberto Francisco de Souza        (b. 1879 - d. 1956)
1956 - 1961                Grégoire Estève de Souza -Regent
                             (1st time)
1961 - 1969                Jérôme Anastasio de Souza          (b. 1884 - d. 1969)
1970 - 1978                Grégoire Estève de Souza -Regent
                             (2nd time)
1978 - 1991                Julien Féliciano de Souza
                             (president of regency council)
1991                       Honoré Féliciano de Souza
1991 - 1995                Souza Family National Council
1995 -                     Honoré Féliciano Juli
ão de Souza



Dassa

c.1600                     Yoruba kingdom of Dassa founded.
c.1800                     Conquered by Danhome.
1889                       Independent of Danhome, under French protectorate.

Rulers (title Oba)
1889 - ....                Ajikin Zomaw
.... - 1941                Abisi Oyo                          (d. 1941)
13 Jun 1941 - 24 Jul 1942  Awo Alagi                          (d. 1942)
1942 - ....                Bernardin Zomaw



Fitta

c.1700                     Mahi state of Fitta founded.

Rulers
1800?                      Ayaba Abaoke
18.. - 18..                Ajiba Abaoke
18.. - 18..                Zigbale
18.. - 18..                Limu Madu Zohun "Adakpe"
18.. - 18..                ....
1894?                      Dikple



Gwande

....                       Berba state of Gwande founded.

Rulers
.... - ....                Kasa
.... - ....                Wimbo Kasa I
.... - ....                Kandikoni
.... - ....                Nyami I
.... - ....                Dari
.... - ....                Kunyati
.... - ....                Sakwa
.... - ....                Ikori
.... - ....                Wimbo Kasa II
.... - ....                Nambo
.... - ....                Nyami II
.... - ....                Yani



Icha

c.1800                     Yoruba state of Icha founded.

Rulers
.... - ....                Baba Akete
.... - ....                Lauru
.... - ....                Obinti
.... - ....                Akan Aku
.... - ....                Kase Kpe
.... - ....                Lauru Tofa
.... - ....                Lauru Tonyon
.... - ....                Lauro Bezon
.... - ....                Lauru Asogba
1920?                      Lauru



Jugu

c.1700                     Gurmanche state of Jugu or Sugu founded.

Rulers
1800 - 1815                Bangba Nyora II                    (d. 1815)
1815 - 18..                Kpe Toni II
18.. - 18..                Kurugu IV Atakora
18.. - 1880                Nyora III                          (d. 1880)
1880 - 28 Jul 1899         Kpe Toni III                       (d. 1899)
11 Aug 1899 - 1900         Baba Jimba
13 Feb 1900 - 19..         Atakora
19.. - 19..                Kpe Toni IV
19.. - 19..                Kpe Toni V
19.. - 19..                Kpe Toni VI



Kandi

c.1700                     Bariba (Borgu) state of Kandi founded.

Rulers (title Saka)
.... - ....                Bagu I
.... - ....                Bukunene
.... - ....                Barikali II
.... - ....                Minti II
.... - ....                Kina Dogo "Donsarukpunon"
.... - ....                Gezere II
.... - 1911                Lafia II                           (d. 1911)
1911 - 1929                Zibiri II                          (d. 1929)
1929 - 19..                Bagu II
19.. - ....                Sabi Goro



Ketu

c.1500                     Yoruba state moved its capital to Ketu.
1886                       Conquered by Danhome.
1893                       Restored by France under protectorate.
1963                       State extinguished.

Rulers (title Oba, also styled Alaketu)
1795 - 1816                Ajibolu                            (d. 1816)
1816 - 1853                Adebiya                            (d. 1853)
1853 - Dec 1858            Adegbede                           (d. 1858)
Dec 1858 - 1867            Adiro
1867 - 1883                Osun Ojeku                         (d. 1883)
1883 - 1886                Agidigbo Hungbo -Regent
1893 - 1894                Ida (f) -Regent
13 Feb 1894 - 1918         Oyengen                            (d. 1918)
1918 - 1936                Ademufekun Dudu                    (d. 1936)
1937 - 1963                Alamu Adewori Adegibite



Kwande

1790                       Bariba (Borgu) state of Kwande founded.

Rulers (title Bangana)
1790 - 1804                Woru Wari I "Taburufa"             (d. 1804)
1804 - 1816                Woru Suru I "Baba Tantame"         (d. 1816)
1816 - 1833                Soru I                             (d. 1833)
1833                       Bio Doko                           (d. 1833)
1833 - 1852                Buku Ya Dari "Ginimu Siku"         (d. 1852)
1852 - 1883                Wonkuru "Tabuko"                   (d. 1883)
1883 - 1897                Woru Wari II                       (d. 1897)
 5 Mar 1898 -  2 May 1904  Suanru                             (d. 1904)
May 1904 - Feb 1929        Gunu Deke                          (d. 1929)
 9 Dec 1929 - 19 Jan 1943  Woru Suru II                       (d. 1943)
 4 Sep 1943 - Jul 1949     Soru II                            (d. 1949)
 1 Jan 1950 - 11 Jul 1957  Woru Wari III "Tunku Cessi"        (d. 1957)
20 Jan 1958 - 1961         Imoru Dogo                         (d. 1961)



Nikki

....                       Nikki, the second-ranking kingdom in Borgu, founded;
                             for the premier Borgu kingdom, Bussa, as well as Kaiama,
                             see Nigeria traditional states.

Rulers (title Sarkin Nikki)
.... - ....                Kpe Gunu "Giribussike"
.... - ....                Seru Kpera "Illorikpunon"
.... - ....                Sina Boagi "Ningurumekpunon"
.... - ....                Kpe Gunu "Yoromkire" Bio Bukari
.... - 1837                Seru Kpera "Niamarekpunon"         (d. 1837)
1837 - 18..                Seru Kpe Lafia
18.. - 18..                Seru Kora
18.. - 18..                Kpe Sumera (Karakoari = Tokobu)
18.. - 18..                Seru Tasu
18.. - Dec 1897            Seru Toru "Munko" 
                             (Seru Turinka = Sina Toru)       (d. 1897)
1898 - 1901                Kpe Sumera                         (d. 1901)
1901 - 1915                Sina Toru "Passo," "Suanru"        (d. 1915)
1915 - 1917                Kisra Pruka                        (d. 1917)
1917 - 1924                Seru Naina                         (d. 1924)
1924 - 1928                Kisra Yeruma (Seru Toru Tanku)     (d. 1928)
1928 - 1932                Seru Kpera                         (d. 1932)
1932 - 1938                Kpe Gunu "Kora Gari"               (d. 1938)
1938 - 1952                Kpe Gunu "Shabi Yerima"            (d. 1952)
1952 - 1957                Kpe Lafia                          (d. 1957)
1957 -                     Seru Kpera "Saka Mivera"



Paraku

c.1700                     Bariba (Borgu) state of Paraku founded.

Rulers
.... - ....                Akpaki Duro Bekuru I
.... - ....                Akpaki Atagara
.... - ....                Akpaki Timkpopo
.... - ....                Akpaki Yereku
.... - ....                Akpaki Gobinyesse
.... - ....                Akpaki Tinra I
.... - ....                Akpaki Bukukinmin
.... - ....                Buru Borassi
1894?                      Akpaki Lafia
189. - 1895                Buru "Gingirekpunon"               (d. 1895)
1895                       Buru Donborigi                     (d. 1895)
1895 - 1927                Buru Gessere                       (d. 1927)
1927 - 1942                Akpaki Tinra II                    (d. 1942)
1942 - 1952                Buru Donkakuson II                 (d. 1952)
1952 - 19..                Akpaki Duro Bekuru II
1978?                      Shabi Mama



Sabe

Note: The available records for this Yoruba state are fragmentary and conflicting; there is a long line of rulers styled Ola, and the recent rulers are said by one source to alternate between descendants of either of two brothers. The present record contains only a small fragment.

Rulers (title Onisabe)
1803 - 1818                Ola Obe "Yai," "Woru"              (d. 1818)
1818 - ....                Ola Mone
.... - ....                Ola Akikenju



Savalu

c.1650                     Mahi state of Savalu founded.

Rulers
1795?                      Gbagidi IV Jeizo Bonanaglo
.... - 1821                Gbagidi V Bedebu                   (d. 1821)
1821 - 1863                Gbagidi VI Nyunyisso               (d. 1863)
1863 - 1885                Gbagidi VII Lintonon               (d. 1885)
1885 - 1902                Gbagidi VIII Zundegla              (d. 1902)
                            (Zundegla Nozin Wandodo) 
14 Jul 1902 -  4 Feb 1928  Gbagidi IX Nyumoan                 (d. 1928)
1928 - 19..                Gbagidi X Bahinon
19.. - ....                Gbagidi XI Gandigbe



Savi Hweda

c.1580                     Fon state of Savi Hweda (in English, Whydah; in French,
                             Ouidah) founded.
 9 Mar 1727                Conquered by and incorporated into Danhome, royalty
                             continues.
30 Nov 1891                French protectorate (effective from 3 Dec 1892).

Rulers
c.1580 - c.1620            Haholo
c.1620 - c.1640            Kpassé
c.1640 - 16..              ....
16.. - 16..                ....
1671 - 1703                Ayohuan (Ayohwan)
1704 - 1708                Aysan (Amah)
1708 - 1741                Hufon (Huffon)
1741 - 1753                ....

1753 - 1774                Sagbe
Dec 1774 - 1775            Agbami (Agbamy)
Danhome governors 
Mar 1727 - 1744            Dassu
1744 - c.1765              Dedele
c.1765 - ....              Sekplon
.... - ....                Bassoh
.... - c.1868              ....
Rulers
1776 - 1802                Akanmou
1804 - 1819                Dèkpon
1820 - 1843                Dèdé
1844 - 1857                Dèdji

c.1868 - 1879              Adjossogbé
1879 - c.1882              Zinhummé
c.1882 - c.1884            Seklocka
c.1884 - c.1887            Aguessi Dagba
c.1887 - c.1890            Jagba
c.1890 - 1898              Nagbododhone
2006? -                    Mitodaho Kpassenhon



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