2. Development of Oyo and Dahomey: b. Economic Flashcards
(26 cards)
What type of economy did Oyo have?
Sophisticated market and trading economy with manufacturing of finished goods. (Date: 18th century)
What was the level of urbanization in Oyo and to what modern country’s urbanization was it compared?
22% urbanization, similar to the USA in the same period. (Date: 18th century)
What was widespread in Oyo urban centres regarding production?
Craft production was widespread and townspeople did not grow their own food. (Date: 18th century)
How did Oyo townspeople obtain their food?
They paid for food with cowrie shells, indicating a market economy rather than subsistence farming. (Date: 18th century)
What textile was Oyo noted for producing?
Highly sought-after cloth produced in the 1700s and 1800s. (Date: 1700s-1800s)
Which centres in Oyo were noted for weaving?
Oyo-Ile and Ila were noted weaving centres. (Date: 1700s-1800s)
How much indigo acreage did Oyo-Ile cultivate for dyes?
500-600 acres of indigo. (Date: 1700s-1800s)
What did urban crafts and industries in Oyo rely on for agricultural production?
Slaves, often received as tribute from vassal states. (Date: 18th century)
How did Oyo receive slaves for agricultural production?
Slaves were received as tribute from vassal states. (Date: 18th century)
What was the significance of the Egbado Corridor for Oyo?
Linked Oyo to the Atlantic Trade. (Date: 18th century)
How much annual tribute did the Egbado Corridor levy on Dahomey?
Raised the equivalent of $638,000 annually. (Date: 18th century)
What agreement did Agaja make in 1730 regarding the slave trade?
Agaja agreed to resume the slave trade in Dahomey’s ports and established the office of Yovogan. (Date: 1730)
What office was established in Dahomey to manage the slave trade?
The office of Yovogan. (Date: 1730)
What did Tegbesu do in 1740 regarding the slave trade?
Consolidated Dahomey’s position in the slave trade. (Date: 1740)
Who improved Dahomey’s access to the slave trade between 1774-1789?
Kpengla, successor to Tegbesu, improved Dahomey’s access. (Date: 1774-1789)
What was Dahomey region known as in relation to the slave trade?
Known as the ‘slave coast’, supplying around 2 million slaves for the Trans-Atlantic trade, about one-fifth of the total. (Date: 18th-19th centuries)
How were slaves used domestically in Dahomey?
Used for agricultural production. (Date: 18th century)
Which slaves were typically used domestically in Dahomey?
Slaves often without kinship ties; over time descendants could develop kinship ties. (Date: 18th century onward)
How did the Ahosu handle captured slaves in war?
Purchased slaves, distributed some as gifts and sold the remainder into the slave trade as a royal monopoly. (Date: 18th century)
In 1727, how many slaves were given as gifts out of 1,800 captured?
200 given as gifts. (Date: 1727)
What infrastructure facilitated trade in Dahomey?
Good roads and bridges with toll booths to collect taxes and fines. (Date: 18th century)
What was notable about markets in Abomey by the 1700s?
Held markets every day of the week selling crafts, foods, luxury items such as tobacco and cloth. (Date: 1700s)
How were markets organized in other Dahomey towns like Canamina and Zingo?
Held markets on different days of the week; run by the Migan with 100 soldiers to handle disputes. (Date: 18th century)
Who was the Migan in Dahomey?
Official in charge of markets in towns like Canamina and Zingo, supported by 100 soldiers for disputes. (Date: 18th century)
