The African School of Economics (ASE) recently published an original history book entitled “From Gléxwé to Ouidah”, the masterpiece is the result of many years of research. Signed by both Professor Léonard Wantchékon and Doctors of history Ouitona H. W. Serge and Valère Sogbossi, the 171-page book presents the history of Ouidah from its creation until today. While waiting for the official launch which will be held in Benin, the book is very much sought after online.

African leader in various research areas, the African School of Economics (ASE) continues well on this momentum. The institution chaired by Pr. Léonard Wantchékon has recently published a story with the goal of popularizing the history of the city of Ouidah. Designed in a 148x210mm format, the book is divided into six chapters including a summary and an introduction. In the first chapter, the authors took the time to retrace the migrations which caused the creation of the Saxwè Kingdom in the XVII century. These attributes gained the attention of the Danxomè Kingdom as we discover it in the second chapter. That part is focused on the domination of Danxomè which conquered Saxwè in its policy of monopolizing the slave trade. In the third chapter, we find a beautiful analysis of the Danxomè presence in Ouidah.

That part focuses the reader’s attention on the socio politic and economic aspects. Furthermore, we discover information on the switch from a slave trade economy to the one dominated by palm oil. Within the fourth chapter, we find information regarding Ouidah’s colonization by the French army under the General Dodds. It educates the readers on the conflicts which have tarnished the relationships between the colony’s administration and the city’s big families. Chapters five and six praise Ouidah’s trumps, cosmopolitan city, city of faiths.

The reconstruction of Benin’s most prominent cities

“De Gléxwé à Ouidah », is the first series of publications in history according to Dr. Ouitona H. W. Serge. According to him, the African School of Economics is working towards a global understanding of Benin’s history. That’s why it projects to reconstruct other cities histories across the country through publications like this. For this publication, the authors have not changed the usual approach in history. In a critical approach, they went to analyze the archives, sources, and bibliographical elements. In order to confirm all of their sources, the authors went on the field to talk with people who have knowledge of the oral tradition. It is during one of those travels that certain illustrative images such as the location of Zomaï’s house (page 59), Zoungbodji’s memorial (page 152) and the multi-century tree reserve (page 116) have been taken. The African School of Economics hopes to recreate this collection of information for other cities across Benin.