Dahomey as Black Sparta
The Kingdom of Dahomey was an important regional power and was referred to as “Black Sparta” by European historians because of its established political and economic systems and military superiority. Dahomey was also widely known for its corps of female soldiers known as the Dahomey Amazons.
Meaning of Flag
The national flag was for the first time raised formally on Benin Independence Day, Aug. 1, 1960. The flag colors are green, denoting hope for renewal, red representing the ancestors’ courage, and yellow as a reminder of the country’s riches.
