History of the Kingdom of Dahomey Fon ancestor worship and ceremonies. He was not allowed to reside in Abomey or travel freely, but was allowed to visit Abomey to perform ceremonial functions during the Annual Customs by the French administration. French Dahomey administration remained over the area from 1900 until 1960 when the country gained independence and took the name Republic of Dahomey. In 1975, the name of the country was changed from Republic of Dahomey to Benin. The King of Dahomey remains an important ceremonial position and continued through both French administration and independence. Since 2000, there has been a struggle over the position with
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