DAHOMEEN, a people living in Dahomey in the Abomey —Allada—Wida district of Africa. The hierarchical monarchy for merly comprised king, ministers and high court functionaries, an organized standing army comprising several regiments including one composed of women (Amazons), with distinct social ranks of princes, high dignitaries, people and slaves. The extended patrilineal family group (hennu) had property in common under the headship of the patriarch (Hennu-dalio), with individual own ership of personal possessions. Marriage was prohibited between members of the same family. Succession passed to the son, thence to the brother, afterwards to the nephew. They practised hus bandry, arboriculture and trade. They were animists, who long practised human sacrifice and there are traces of totemism (leop ard and serpent cults). Secret societies and male and female sacerdotal organization existed.
See Le Herisse, L'Ancien Royauine du Dahomey (1911).