Abomey Today Abomey is the capital in the province Zou, and about 2-3 hours drive north of Cotonou, depending on the traffic. Traditionally Abomey is referred to as the city of kings, and the power of the sovereigns in the Abomey kingdom was incontestable until 1892, when the bombardment of the Dahomey coast, the palace of Abomey, and finally the town Chacha put an end to the Hwegbadja dynasty. The kings of Abomey chose symbols to express their power and philosophy, and also to tell their history. Behind each emblem a whole literature is hidden, Martine can fill you in here too. The Historic Museum of Abomey is huge, and based in the old palace compound of the Abomey kings. It contains temples, a terrifying wall constructed with human blood instead of water, the grave of King Guezo, and also the graves of 41 of his views, buried alive by own choice and in accordance with tradition. The profiles in the clay walls show scenes from a brutal history of war, battles and conquests. Inside the museum local craftsmen offer their traditional products, patchwork, metal work, woodcarvings and cloth. History books and postcards are also available. For French speakers; the Museum of Abomey has a beautiful web site.

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