West Africa sway not only over most of the other kingdoms in Yorubaland, but also over nearby African states, notably the Fon Kingdom of Dahomey in the modern Republic of Benin to the west. The Benin Empire was a pre-colonial empire located in what is now southern Nigeria. Its capital was Edo, now known as Benin City, Edo. It should not be confused with the modern-day country called Benin, formerly called Dahomey. The Benin Empire was "one of the oldest and most highly developed states in the coastal hinterland of West Africa, dating perhaps to the eleventh century CE". The Benin Empire
In Dahomey are American blacks playing roles, not Dahomey natives. The lyrics expressed the relief of the "natives" that they could soon go home to their New York apartments. This scene earlier features the "Act II Opening (Sports of Gay Chicago)" and the hit love song "Why Do I Love You?" The song was never a hit. After the musical's 1946 revival on Broadway, the song "In Dahomey" was omitted from the score of "Show Boat." Although the song was performed in the 1946 revival, it was omitted from the cast album recorded of that Broadway production. It has never been used