Houegbadja

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Aho Houegbadja was the third king of Dahomey . He succeeded his uncle Dakodonu and ruled from 1645 to 1685.

Houegbadja was the first ruler of the dynasty, whose center of power was in Abomey : He founded the city by building his palace ("Agbome") in the middle of the ramparts. He is said to have been a wise ruler who was respected by his people. He enacted laws, appointed ministers and developed an efficient bureaucracy. To this end, he developed a religious cult and a political culture that were characteristic of Dahomey. Houegbadja's symbols were fish, fish trap and club.

Houegbadja's successor was his son Houessou Akaba .

predecessor Office successor
Dakodonu King of Dahomey
1645–1685
Houessou Aqaba