Ouidah Museum of History, History museum in Ouidah, Benin
The Ouidah Museum of History occupies a former Portuguese fort from the 18th century and displays artifacts, photographs, and documents about the region's past. The collections cover the Kingdom of Dahomey, the Atlantic slave trade, and other major chapters of local history.
The Portuguese built the fort in 1721 as a trading post on the coast. Following the decline of the slave trade, the structure was converted into a museum in 1967 to document this history.
The exhibitions explore the Kingdom of Dahomey's power and how Vodun spiritual traditions shaped the region's identity. Visitors can observe how these beliefs remain woven into the community's sense of self.
The museum sits along Route des Esclaves and opens Monday through Saturday; allow several hours for a thorough visit. Guided tours are available to help visitors understand the exhibits in greater depth.
The museum documents the repatriation of Africans who returned to Benin after the slave trade declined. These stories of return and rebuilding form some of the most moving content in the collections.
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