Benin Tapestries

The style of the Abomey Tapestry tells the history of the Fon people of Dahomey, now the Republic of Benin. Appliqué is the word used to describe the process of adding materials to a textile base.

Herskovits (1938) tells us that all appliqué work was done for the Fon by a restricted guild in Abomey and their work included ceremonial cloth caps, hammocks, and state umbrellas, as well as flags and banners. Appliquéd banners are still made in Dahomey but are nowadays produced for a commercial market.

(Herskovits, Melville J. 1938. Dahomey, An Ancient West African Kingdom, 2 vols., New York.)

Understanding the symbols used in the tapestries, one can recognize the sophisticated method of telling the history of the Abomey kingdom. The following are a few examples.

TEGBESSOU (1732-1774) Proverb-"Once a buffalo is dressed it is very difficult to undress him." The buffalo is symbolic of the strength of the king. During the enthroning ceremony, Tegbessou's enemies put an herbal potion that would cause severe itching on the royal costume, so when he put it on he would have to remove it immediately. This would have led to an on-the-spot selection of a new king. Warned in time, Tegbessou took the necessary precautions and put the costume on, hence the dressed buffalo.

HOUEGBADJA (1645-1685) Founder of the Kingdom of Abomey Proverb-"The fish that refuses the net will not enter." Meaning-I will not fall into the traps laid by my enemies. Refers to a trap laid by his enemies when he was a prince, which he avoided.

GUEZO (1818-1858) Symbol-tree with birds, the tree represents the king and the birds, his subjects. In the time of Guezo Abomey was compared to a tree on which birds from other parts of Dahomey came to roost, especially after conquering other kingdoms.

GLELE (1858-1889) Symbol-open mouthed lion with claws ready to pounce. Proverb-"The lion has grown teeth and is the terror of everyone." Like the lion, the king is ready to crush the Yoruba, with whom his forefaterhs have done battle during a hundred years war.

BEHANZIN (1889-1894) Symbol-the egg symbolizes the hope of the kingdom; eggs being a common African symbol for fertility, and thus hope for the future. Behanzin aspired to extend the kingdom and rule the universe. Proverb-"The world holds the egg and the earth approves; I am the king long awaited by the entire world to do great things."