The kpojito was the queen mother and consort of the pre-colonial African kingdom of Dahomey (modern-day Benin, West Africa).
Beginning in the early eighteenth century, the kpojito was a wife of the king's father, often born of common origin, or into slavery. She rose in rank by merit to serve as the coregent of the ruling king, and sometimes his predecessor. [1]
A kpojito shared power with local princes (serving as their protégé and kingmaker), and had the authority to resolve religious disputes through her skill as a priestess to the vodun (gods). [1] [2] [3] The most famous kpojito was Hwanjile, who reigned with King Tegbesu in the mid-eighteenth century. [1] [4]
The Kingdom of Dahomey was a West African kingdom located within present-day Benin that existed from approximately 1600 until 1904. It developed on the Abomey Plateau amongst the Fon people in the early 17th century and became a regional power in the 18th century by expanding south to conquer key cities like Whydah belonging to the Kingdom of Whydah on the Atlantic coast which granted it unhindered access to the tricontinental triangular trade.
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Tegbesu or Bossa Ahadee was a king of the Kingdom of Dahomey, in present-day Benin, from 1740 until 1774. While not the oldest son of King Agaja (1718-1740), he became king after Agaja's death following a succession struggle with a brother.
Kpengla was a King of the Kingdom of Dahomey, in present-day Benin, from 1774 until 1789. Kpengla followed his father Tegbessou to the throne and much of his administration was defined by the increasing Atlantic slave trade and regional rivalry over the profits from this trade. His attempts to control the slave trade generally failed, and when he died of smallpox in 1789, his son Agonglo came to the throne and ended many of his policies.
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Hwanjile was a high priest and kpojito of the African Kingdom of Dahomey, in what is now Benin.
Events from the year 1611 in France.
Kalthouma Nguembang was a Chadian politician, who was an early member of the Chadian Progressive Party (PPT). She was elected to the National Assembly of Chad in 1968, but was later imprisoned by François Tombalbaye who accused her of plotting against him.
Mildred Pitts Walter is an American children's book writer, known for her works featuring African-American protagonists. Walter has written over 20 books for young readers, including fiction and nonfiction. Several of her books have won or been named to the honor list of the Coretta Scott King Awards. A native of Louisiana who later moved to Denver, Walter was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 1996. She published her autobiography, Something Inside So Strong: Life in Pursuit of Choice, Courage, and Change, in 2019.
Gaudencia Aoko was a Kenyan religious leader who helped lead two African-initiated churches. She was heavily involved with the early development of Legio Maria.
Visesegan was an African official, the favorite wife of Glele, King of Dahomey. Visesegan was tononu of the Dahomey, a rank comparable to being the head of the wives. The first records of her date to 1863, when Richard Burton recorded that she was one of Yavedo's assistants. She rose to be the most powerful woman by the 1870s, being in charge of other women living in the palace. Visesegan was additionally the wealthiest woman in the palace and controlled commercial licenses. She first supported Ahanhanzo and later her son Sasse Koku as the successor to her husband. When Béhanzin became king instead, Visesegan led an attempt to overthrow him, which ultimately was unsuccessful. She lost her property as a result. She had also advocated for "accommodating" the French, who were becoming increasingly involved in the region. Visesegan died in 1912.
Joaquim d'Almeida, also called Zoki Azata, was a freed African slave of the Mahi people (Dahomey) in Brazil who became a trader in African slaves.