French Dahomey French Dahomey French Dahomey was a French colony of and a part of French West Africa from 1904 to 1958. After World War II, by the establishment of the French Fourth Republic in 1947, Dahomey became part of the French Union with an increased autonomy. On 11 December 1958, the French Fifth Republic was established and the French Union became the French Community. The colony became the self-governing Republic of Dahomey within the Community, and two years later on 1 August 1960 it gained full independence (and in 1975 changed its name to Benin). During the 13th century, the indigenous
Dahomey Amazons Nawi claimed to have fought the French in 1892. Nawi died in November 1979, aged well over 100. Dahomey Amazons were represented in the 1987 film "Cobra Verde" by German director Werner Herzog. Ghezo's Amazons play a significant role in the novel "Flash for Freedom!" by George MacDonald Fraser. The unit is also depicted in (a special edition of, and now DLC of) PC game "". In the African Kingdoms expansion to "Age of Empires II", Gbeto are the Malian unique unit. In either game, the Dahomey/Gbeto are the only female military units. A segment of "QI" Series 7 Episode