5 notable traditional African leaders who stood their grounds against colonialists [2]

Béhanzin

Béhanzin

He was the last independent and traditionally enthroned King of the Dahomey Kingdom (present-day Benin). Béhanzin ruled from 1889 to 1894 and actively led his people in their resistance against French imperialists in the Dahomey War from 1892 to 1894.

Behanzin (second right) pictured with some family members — Photo Credit: gallica.bnf.fr

The French, however, emerged victorious and deposed Béhanzin. He spent his later years in Martinique and Algeria but his remains were returned to Dahomey after his death.