The Adja & Fon people

The city of Tado, located in present-day Togo, is widely recognized as the cradle of the Adja people, who form the root of the populations in southern Benin. The migration of these peoples to new territories is closely linked to an ancestral legend. According to this tradition, the daughter of the king of Tado once encountered a peaceful panther, an iconic symbol of Benin. From this unique encounter, a son named Agasu was born. Raised at the royal court, Agasu became the father of many children.

One of his sons, Adjahuto, left his mark on history through a tragic act: after killing the presumptive heir to the throne, he fled, taking with him his father’s skull and spear. His escape led him to Allada, where he founded his own kingdom. From his descendants came powerful royal lineages: his son Meidji ruled Allada, Zozérigbé governed Porto-Novo, and Do-Aklin took possession of the Bohicon region. The latter had a nephew, the famous Houégbadja, who founded the kingdom of Abomey, the future stronghold of the powerful Fon people.

The descendants of these prestigious lineages later split into several ethnic groups: Adja, Xwla, Huéda, Ayizo, Mahi, and Gun. However, the most influential and well-known branch remains that of the Fon, credited with the foundation of the kingdom of Abomey. The Fon now hold a prominent place in Benin, representing about 39.2% of the national population. Their language, Fon, is so important that it is understood even in the northernmost regions of the country.

Below are some examples of figurines known as Hohovi, used in the twin cult among the Adja and Fon people: