The current royal claimant of the Behanzin lineage
Dah Dedjalagni Houedogni Behanzin is the current royal claimant to the throne of Dahomey from the Behanzin lineage. He represents one of two main factions — the Behanzin line and the Glele line — that dispute the succession of the restored monarchy. His claim descends from King Behanzin, the grea...
The throne of Dahomey is not vacant. But who sits on it depends on whom you ask.
In Abomey today, the kingship is divided. Two main factions claim the succession, each tracing its lineage to a different king of the pre-colonial kingdom. The Behanzin line points to the great resistance leader. The Glele line points to his father.
Dah Dedjalagni Houedogni Behanzin is the claimant of the Behanzin line. His name carries the weight of a dynasty: Dedjalagni, the name of an earlier Agoli-Agbo descendant; Houedogni, a Behanzin heir; and Behanzin itself, the most famous of Dahomey's kings.
The Behanzin lineage
Dah Dedjalagni's claim runs through King Behanzin (r. 1889-1894), the twelfth king of Dahomey who led the resistance against French colonization.
Behanzin was captured by the French in 1894 and exiled to Martinique and later Algeria. He died in 1906, far from his kingdom. But his lineage survived. His descendants remained in Abomey, ordinary citizens through the colonial and Marxist eras, preserving the memory of their ancestor.
When the throne was restored in the 1990s, the Behanzin descendants stepped forward. Houedogni Behanzin (2000-2012) was the first claimant from this line to be publicly recognized. After his death, Dah Dedjalagni Houedogni Behanzin inherited the claim.
The Behanzin line's argument is straightforward: Behanzin was the last legitimate king of an independent Dahomey. He was deposed by force — by an illegal French invasion. Therefore, the legitimate succession runs through his descendants.
The rival faction: The Glele line
The Glele line, by contrast, traces its claim through King Glele (r. 1858-1889), Behanzin's father. This line argues that traditional succession rules favor the Glele branch, and that the Behanzin line's claim is based on political popularity rather than customary legitimacy.
Dah Sagbadjou Glele held the throne from 2018 to 2021. After his death, the Glele line's claimant status is less publicly visible, but the faction remains active.
The rivalry between the two lines is not hostile. Both sides participate in royal ceremonies. Both are recognized by different segments of the Fon community. Visitors to Abomey may see events led by one claimant or the other, depending on who is hosting.
The role of a claimant
What does Dah Dedjalagni do as a royal claimant?
His daily life is not that of a medieval monarch. He does not live in a palace (the royal palaces are a museum). He does not command servants or collect tribute. He is, in many respects, an ordinary citizen.
But his ceremonial role is significant:
- Presiding over royal rituals at the palaces and temples of Abomey
- Receiving dignitaries and visitors interested in Dahomey's royal heritage
- Participating in the Festival des Recades and other annual celebrations
- Maintaining the oral traditions of the Behanzin lineage
- Representing the Behanzin family at cultural events
The claimant's authority depends on recognition — by the Fon community, by the Beninese state, and by the international visitors who come to Abomey seeking authentic encounters with the kingdom's living heritage.
Why the succession matters
The existence of rival claimants might seem like a purely internal matter — a family dispute with limited relevance to the outside world.
But the Dahomey succession matters for several reasons:
Cultural heritage. The king of Dahomey, whether from the Behanzin or Glele line, is the living custodian of the kingdom's traditions. The palaces, the ceremonies, the oral histories — all depend on a recognized royal authority to maintain them.
Tourism. Abomey's greatest attraction is its royal heritage. The palaces, the museum, the festivals — these draw visitors from around the world. A functioning monarchy, even a ceremonial one, adds authenticity and vitality to the tourist experience.
Fon identity. For the Fon people, the king is a symbol of continuity and pride. The succession dispute reflects the vitality of Fon culture — a tradition that is still alive enough to argue about.
The future of the claim
What will happen to the Dahomey succession?
The most likely outcome is that the two lines will continue to coexist, each recognized by different constituencies. A formal reconciliation is possible but not guaranteed.
In the long term, the succession may matter less than the institution itself. Whether the throne is held by the Behanzin line or the Glele line, the monarchy provides continuity with the pre-colonial past. It keeps the kingdom's traditions alive. It gives Abomey a living link to its glorious history.
For visitors, the succession dispute is a reminder that the Dahomey kingdom is not just history. It is still present, still contested, still alive. The claimants, the ceremonies, the debates — these are not museum exhibits. They are the living heritage of a kingdom that refused to die.
FAQ
Who is Dah Dedjalagni houedogni Behanzin?
He is the current royal claimant to the throne of Dahomey from the Behanzin lineage — the line descending from King Behanzin, who led the resistance against French colonization.
Is Dah Dedjalagni the official king of Dahomey?
He is one of two main claimants. The succession is disputed between the Behanzin line and the Glele line. Different sources recognize different claimants.
What is the difference between the Behanzin and Glele lines?
The Behanzin line descends from King Behanzin (r. 1889-1894), the resistance leader. The Glele line descends from his father, King Glele (r. 1858-1889). Each interprets traditional succession rules differently.
Where does Dah Dedjalagni live?
He lives in Abomey, the historic capital of the Dahomey kingdom, near the royal palaces.
Does the royal claimant have political power?
No. The Dahomey monarchy is a ceremonial institution. The claimant has cultural authority but no political power under Benin's constitution.
Continue exploring Benin's royal heritage: Royal succession after Agoli-Agbo · Legal status of traditional kings · Festival des Recades · King Agoli-Agbo · Are there still kings in Benin
Plan your visit
Meet the living heritage of the Dahomey kingdom. Our travel guide covers Abomey's royal palaces, the Festival des Recades, and how to experience the restored monarchy.