The Dahomey conquest of Savè' refers to a series of military incursions and destructive campaigns carried out by the Kingdom of Dahomey against the Yoruba kingdom of Savè (also known as Chabè or Ṣàbẹ́) during the 19th century. The Dahomey campaigns brought repeated raids into Yoruba border states and destabilized Savè’s political structure.
Background
The Kingdom of Save Sabé (Yoruba: Ṣábẹ̀ẹ́) was a Yoruba kingdom located in the modern day Benin-Nigeria border centered around the city of ile-Save or ile-Sabe, it rose in the 18th century as a city state, and cultural groups connected with the Yoruba identity, descending from Oduduwa. Dahomey’s conquest
During King Ghezo's reign, Dahomey had started to expand and raid neighboring Yoruba-speaking kingdoms. During his reign, Dahomey burned the capital city of Save in 1848, destroying an estimated "143 localities". In 1855, it was destroyed again. After this, the city was not fully inhabited for 25 years because of the totality of the destruction. After this period the city was inhabited again, until a final and decisive phase of conflict occurred in 1885, when Dahomey forces under the expansionist policies of Glélé launched a campaign that resulted in the definitive destruction of Ilé-Savè. Dahomey was conquered by France after the Second Fanco-Dahomean war in 1894, which returned the kingdom back to native rule.
See also
Dahomey raids on Yoruba Battle of Paouignan Dahomey Conquest of Ketou
References