1818-1868: King Gezo ruled the Kingdom of Dahomey during a period when the Bight of Benin was recognized as the “Slave Coast” due to the intense volume of de…

1818-1868: King Gezo ruled the Kingdom of Dahomey during a period when the Bight of Benin was recognized as the “Slave Coast” due to the intense volume of deportations. Ouidah (Whidah) served as the largest single embarkation point for captives from West Africa, remaining under the strict oversight and management of the Dahomean state. Although Gezo permitted the continued trafficking of captives, the international suppression of the trans-Atlantic trade eventually forced the kingdom to develop other export trades, such as palm oil. Descriptions from visitors like the missionary Frederick Forbes noted Gezo’s commanding appearance and the sophisticated state mechanisms he used to regulate the port’s commerce.