Line #106 UsefulNotes/Benin


1	[[quoteright:332:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Benin_map_5553.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:332: Presenting Benin. Not to be confused with Benin City. Or the Bight of Benin. Or the Benin River. Or the Bini people. Oh forget it, yay Benin!]]
3
4	Benin (French: ''Bénin''), officially known as the '''Republic of Benin''' (French: ''République du Bénin''), also formerly known as Dahomey and once part of the infamous Slave Coast of UsefulNotes/{{Africa}}, what is now the Republic of Benin was once the mighty Kingdom of Dahomey, a kingdom mostly known for its AmazonBrigade (that and the fact that they were nicknamed [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast "the black]] [[TheSpartanWay Sparta"]] should tell you all you need to know about its sheer awesomeness). Though it can be more accurately described as a BattleHarem since the women were all wives of the King of Dahomey, and they also served as his BodyguardBabes. The kingdom faced colonialism in 1892, when France managed to conquer the kingdom during the Second Franco-Dahomean War, turning it into a [[UsefulNotes/TheFrenchColonialEmpire colony]] named French Dahomey.
5
6	In 1960, the country gained independence and managed to keep a democratic government for at least 12 years. However, in 1972, a coup d’etat saw the rise of a (supposedly) Marxist-Leninist government. They also changed the name of the country to a name (supposedly) more neutral, the People’s Republic of Benin; the new name was taken from the Bight of Benin which, incidentally, [[RecursiveTranslation was taken from the Benin Empire]] [[NonIndicativeName (which wasn’t in modern Benin but rather in modern Nigeria)]].
7
8	The communist government eventually had an economic collapse and in 1991 the country had elections once again. Nowadays it’s considered an example of democracy in Africa, but it must be stressed that it hasn’t had much time to show it off.
9
10	Sadly, as a matter of contrast, the literacy rate is one of the lowest in the world (less than 35%). Also, a lot of people live under the poverty line.
11
12	It’s also known for the Vodun, the official religion of the country (even though a great part of the population has adapted Christianity as well), from where it migrated to other parts of Africa and the Americas where it eventually transformed into [[HollywoodVoodoo Voudou, or Voodoo if you prefer]].
13	----
14	!!Beninese Culture:
15	* Myth/GbeMythology
16	* Myth/YorubaMythology
17
18	!!Notable Beninese People:
19
20	* Actor Creator/DjimonHounsou was born there.
21	* Singer Angélique Kidjo was born here.
22	----
23	[[AC:The Beninese flag]]
24	[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flag_of_benin.png]]
25	->The flag uses the traditional Pan-African colors, but with additional interpretations. The green left half symbolizes hope; the yellow upper-right half symbolizes wealth; and the red lower-right half symbolizes courage. The flag was originally adopted in 1959, then replaced in 1971 by a plain green flag with the red star of socialism on the upper left corner, but was since re-adopted in 1990.
26	----
27	[[AC:Coat of arms of Benin]]
28	[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/coat_of_arms_of_benin.png]]
29	->The coat of arms uses two leopards (the leopard is Benin's national animal) holding a shield (from clockwise, the sield contains a Somba fortress to represent Benin;s historical past, the Star of Benin, which is the country's highest award, a ship to represent the country's colonial history under European rule and a palm tree to symbolize agriculture). On top of the shield are horns containing sand and corn that stands for prosperity. The coat of arms was originally adopted in 1964, then replaced in 1971 by six corn cobs and a cog wheel with a plain green flag with the red star of socialism in the middle and a red ribbon containing the initials of the country's former full name in French, like the flag, it was since re-adopted in 1990.
30	----
31	[[AC:The Beninese national anthem]]
32
33	->Jadis à son appel, nos aïeux sans faiblesse
34	->Ont su avec courage, ardeur, pleins d'allégresse
35	->Livrer au prix du sang des combats éclatants.
36	->Accourez vous aussi, bâtisseurs du présent,
37	->Plus forts dans l'unité, chaqu'jour à la tâche,
38	->Pour la postérité, construisez sans relâche.
39
40	->Enfants du Bénin, debout!
41	->La liberté d'un cri sonore
42	->Chante aux premiers feux de l'aurore;
43	->Enfants du Bénin, debout!
44
45	->Quand partout souffle un vent de colère et de haine.
46	->Béninois, sois fier, et d'une âme sereine,
47	->Confiant dans l'avenir, regarde ton drapeau!
48	->Dans le vert tu liras l'espor du renouveau,
49	->De tes aïeux le rouge évoque le courage;
50	->Des plus riches trésors le jaune est le présage.
51
52	->Enfants du Bénin, debout!
53	->La liberté d'un cri sonore
54	->Chante aux premiers feux de l'aurore;
55	->Enfants du Bénin, debout!
56
57	->Tes monts ensoleillés, tes palmiers, ta verdure,
58	->Cher Bénin, partout font ta vive parure.
59	->Ton sol offre à chacun la richesse des fruits.
60	->Bénin, désormais que tes fils tous unis
61	->D'un fraternel élan partagent l'espérance
62	->De te voir à jamais heureux dans l'abondance.
63
64	->Enfants du Bénin, debout!
65	->La liberté d'un cri sonore
66	->Chante aux premiers feux de l'aurore;
67	->Enfants du Bénin, debout!
68
69	--
70
71	->Formerly, at her call, our ancestors
72	->Knew how to engage in mighty battles
73	->With strength, courage, ardour, and full of joy, but at the price of blood.
74	->Builders of present, you too, join forces
75	->Each day for the task stronger in unity.
76	->Build without ceasing for posterity.
77
78	->Children of Benin, arise!
79	->The resounding cry of freedom
80	->Is heard at the first light of dawn,
81	->Children of Benin, arise!
82
83	->When all around there blows a wind of anger and hate:
84	->Citizen of Benin be proud, and in a calm spirit
85	->Trusting in the future, behold your flag!
86	->In the green you read hope of spring;
87	->The red signifies the courage of your ancestors;
88	->The yellow foretells the greatest treasures.
89
90	->Children of Benin, arise!
91	->The resounding cry of freedom
92	->Is heard at the first light of dawn,
93	->Children of Benin, arise!
94
95	->Beloved Benin, your sunny mountains, palm trees, and green pastures
96	->Show everywhere your brightness;
97	->Your soil offers everyone the richest fruits.
98	->Benin, from henceforth your sons are united
99	->With one brotherly spirit sharing the hope of seeing you
100	->Enjoy abundance and happiness forever.
101
102	->Children of Benin, arise!
103	->The resounding cry of freedom
104	->Is heard at the first light of dawn,
105	->Children of Benin, arise!
106	----
107	[[AC:Government]]
108	* Unitary presidential republic
109	** President: Patrice Talon
110	** President of the National Assembly: Louis Vlavonou
111	----
112	[[AC:Miscellaneous]]
113	* '''Capital:''' Porto-Novo ('''Yoruba:''' ''Àjàṣẹ́ Ajashe'', '''Fon:''' ''Xɔ̀gbónù Hogbonu'')
114	* '''Largest city:''' Cotonou
115	* '''Population:''' 11,733,059
116	* '''Area:''' 114,763 km² (44,310 sq mi) (100th)
117	* '''Currency''': West African CFA franc (CFA) (XOF)
118	* '''ISO-3166-1 Code:''' BJ
119	* '''Country calling code:''' 229
120	* '''Highest point:''' Mont Sokbaro (658 m/2,159 ft) (175th)

Context UsefulNotes / Benin