The Royal Road of Dahomey called Cana-Abomey Road was built in the 18th century by the West African kingdom of Dahomey in what is today the country of Benin. It connected the Atlantic port of Whydah (also spelled Ouidah) to the royal capital city at Abomey, with the capital of Cana as a major midpoint. According to Fon traditions, the road was built in 1779 by the Dahomey king Kpengla, who ordered his subjects to build the road by filling gullies, cutting trees, and building bridges for a width of about 20-30 meters.
The road ran in a straight line for 7.5 miles (about two hours walk), with a prepared earth surface and lined with planted trees for shade. All along the road side were numerous religious shrines, mud huts or thatched sheds containing wooden or clay images.
Sources
Alpern, Stanley B. 1999 Dahomey's Royal Road. History in Africa 26:11-24.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Any mistakes are the responsibility of Kris Hirst.
