Benin

This tropical country is slightly smaller than Pennsylvania, and in colonial days it was divided into several different powerful kingdoms and factions which vied with each other for power and territory. One of these was the militaristic Dahomey Kingdom, which has sometimes been referred to as the Sparta of Africa. The divisions and friction between these groups continued to affect the area into modern times. The French assumed control of the area in the late eighties and remained in control until they granted the country freedom in 1960. Unfortunately, coups, violence, and a struggle for power followed, ending for a time in a Triumvirate. In 1972, the ruler in power declared Benin to be a Marxist state, establishing political relationships with countries such as China and North Korea. He proceeded to change business, economy, and education, as well as politics to forward his views, instigating the migration of many of Benin’s professional and educated citizens. Opposition was dealt with severely. The regime continued until it was no longer able to finance itself, leading the country to renounce Communism and begin anew in 1991. Since that time, the country has been relatively stable, although very impoverished. The country has yet to fully recover from the damages from its time under Communism. Although the country’s situation has vastly improved, subsistence farming continues to support many of its approximately thirteen thousand inhabitants. Nearly 40% of its population are below the poverty line, and only a little over 40% are literate. French is the official language, while various African languages are spoken regionally. Approximately a quarter of the inhabitants ascribe to Islam. Most of the country claims a form of Christianity, which is a term applied indiscriminately to many cults and churches which incorporate animistic practices and false doctrine. Voodoo originated in this region of Africa, and although only about 10% claim it as their primary religion, its influence and practices can have been carried over into many other religions, even into so-called Christianity.

Missionaries in Benin:

Missionaries in Africa (listed with BIMI account numbers)