View source for Porto-Novo

{{Short description|Capital of Benin}}
{{redirect|Porto Novo|other uses|Porto Novo (disambiguation)}}
<!-- Infobox begins -->
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Porto-Novo
| native_name              = {{nativename|yo|Àjàṣẹ́}}<br />{{nativename|fon|Xɔ̀gbónù}}
| other_name               = Ajashe, Hogbonu
| nickname                 = 
| settlement_type          = [[Capital city]] and [[Communes of Benin|commune]]
| motto                    = 
| image_skyline            = {{multiple image
   | border      = infobox
   | total_width = 290
   | image_style = border:1;
   | perrow      = 1/2
   | image1      = Porto-Novo skyline.jpg
   | caption1    = Skyline of Porto-Novo
   | image2      = Grande Mosquee Porto-Novo Benin Joseph Herve Ahissou.jpg
   | caption2    = Grande Mosquee Porto-Novo
   | image3      = Porto Novo Cathedral.jpg
   | caption3    = Porto Novo Cathedral
   | image4      = Pirogues sur lagune de Porto-Novo.jpg
   | caption4    = Pirogues sur lagune of Porto-Novo
   | image5      = Vue d'une entrée de la Grande mosquée de Porto-Novo au Bénin.jpg
   | caption5    = Front view of the Grande Mosquee Porto-Novo
   | image6      = La statue du roi Toffa 1er à Porto Novo.jpg
   | caption6    = The statue of the King Toffa I
   | image7      = Marche ouando porto-novo.jpg
   | caption7    = Ouando Market
   | image8      = Jardin des plantees et de la nature de Porto Novo 09.jpg
   | caption8    = ''Jardin des plantes et de la nature''
   | image9      = Stade charles de Gaulle de Porto-Novo.jpg
   | caption9    = Charles de Gaulle stadium
 }}
| image_caption            =
| image_flag               = 
| flag_size                = 
| image_seal               = 
| seal_size                = 
| image_shield             = Portonovocrest.png
| shield_size              = 
| city_logo                = 
| citylogo_size            = 
| image_map                = 
| mapsize                  = 
| map_caption              = Location of Porto-Novo in Benin
| pushpin_map              = Benin#Africa
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location in [[Benin]]##Location in Africa
| pushpin_relief           = yes
| pushpin_mapsize          = 240
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = {{flag|Benin}}
| subdivision_type1        = [[Departments of Benin|Department]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Ouémé Department|Ouémé]]
| subdivision_type2        = 
| subdivision_name2        = 
| subdivision_type3        = 
| subdivision_name3        = 
| subdivision_type4        = 
| subdivision_name4        = 
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = 
| leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name              = Emmanuel Zossou
| leader_title1            = 
| leader_name1             = 
| established_title        = Established
| established_date         = 16th century
| established_title2       = 
| established_date2        = 
| established_title3       = 
| established_date3        = 
| area_footnotes           = 
| area_total_km2           = 110
| area_land_km2            = 
| area_water_km2           = 
| area_water_percent       = 
| area_urban_km2           = 
| area_metro_km2           = 110
| population_as_of         = 2013
| population_footnotes     = <ref name="citypopulation.de">{{Cite web | url=http://citypopulation.de/Benin-Cities.html | title=Benin: Departments, Major Cities & Towns - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information | access-date=2019-03-28 | archive-date=2019-05-09 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509011915/http://citypopulation.de/Benin-Cities.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
| population_note          = 
| population_total         = 264,320
| population_density_km2   = auto
| population_metro         = 
| population_density_metro_km2 = 
| population_urban         = 
| population_density_urban_km2 = 
| timezone                 = [[West Africa Time|WAT]]
| utc_offset               = +01:00
| coordinates              = {{coord|6|29|50|N|2|36|18|E|region:BJ|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes      = 
| elevation_m              = 38
| postal_code_type         = 
| postal_code              = 
| area_code                = 
| website                  = 
| footnotes                = 
}}

{{langnf|pt|'''Porto-Novo'''|New Port|italic=no|paren=left}}, {{IPA|pt|ˈpoɾtu ˈnovu}}, {{IPA|fr|pɔʁtɔnɔvo}}; {{langx|yo|Àjàṣẹ́}}; {{langx|fon|Xɔ̀gbónù}}; also known as '''Hogbonu''' and '''Ajashe''') is the [[Capital (political)|capital]] and [[List of cities in Benin|second-largest city]] of [[Benin]]. The commune covers an area of {{convert|52|km2|0|abbr=out}} and as of 2002 had a population of 223,552 people.<ref name="Atlasbenin">{{cite web|url=http://atlasbenin.africa-web.org/Oueme/Portonovo.htm|title=Porto-Novo|publisher=Atlas Monographique des Communes du Benin|access-date=January 5, 2010|archive-date=September 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912011322/https://africa-web.org/site/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statoids.com/ybj.html|title=Communes of Benin|publisher=Statoids|access-date=January 5, 2010|archive-date=January 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102050757/http://statoids.com/ybj.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1863, following British bombardment, Porto-Novo accepted French protection, and by 1900, it became the capital of [[French Dahomey]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hellomondo.com/benin/porto-novo/ |title=Porto-Novo, Benin |website=HelloMondo |access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> After Benin's independence in 1960, Porto-Novo retained its status as the official capital, while Cotonou emerged as the economic and administrative hub.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/geography-and-cartography/porto-novo-benin |title=Porto-Novo, Benin |website=EBSCO Research Starters |access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>

Situated on an inlet of the [[Gulf of Guinea]], in the southeastern portion of the country, the city was originally developed as a port for the [[Transatlantic Slave Trade|transatlantic]] [[History of slavery|slave trade]] led by the [[Portuguese Empire]]. It is Benin's second-largest city, and although it is the official capital, where the national legislature sits, the larger city of [[Cotonou]] is the [[seat of government]], where most of the government buildings are situated and government departments operate.

==Etymology==
The name ''Porto-Novo'' is of [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] origin, literally meaning "New Port". It remains untranslated in French, the [[national language]] of Benin.

==History==
{{see also|List of rulers of Hogbonu (Porto-Novo)}}
Porto-Novo was once a tributary of the [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] [[Oyo Empire]],<ref name=beninguide>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=op5eAvnZfG0C&q=Porto+Novo+Yoruba+Kingdom+Oyo&pg=PA111|title=Benin (Other Places Travel Guide)|author=Erica Kraus|author2=Felicie Reid|page=111|publisher=Other Places Publishing|isbn=978-0-982-2619-10|access-date=March 9, 2015|year=2010|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407175811/https://books.google.com/books?id=op5eAvnZfG0C&q=Porto+Novo+Yoruba+Kingdom+Oyo&pg=PA111|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0yGPTsRubWEC&q=Porto+Novo+Hogbonou+Yoruba+History+Oyo&pg=PA297|title=Historical Dictionary of Benin (African Historical Dictionaries)|page=297|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|year=2013|author=Mathurin C. Houngnikpo|author2=Samuel Decalo|isbn=978-0-81087-17-17|access-date=March 9, 2015|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407175816/https://books.google.com/books?id=0yGPTsRubWEC&q=Porto+Novo+Hogbonou+Yoruba+History+Oyo&pg=PA297|url-status=live}}</ref> which had offered it protection from the neighbouring [[Fon people|Fon]], who were expanding their influence and power in the region. Today, the Yoruba community in Porto-Novo remains one of the two original ethnic groups in the city. The city was originally called ''Ajashe'' (Àjàṣẹ́ in Yoruba orthography) by the Yorubas, and ''Hogbonu'' by the [[Gun people|Gun]].{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

Although historically the original inhabitants of the area were [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] speaking, there seems to have been a wave of migration from the region of [[Allada]] further west in the 1600s, which brought Te-Agbalin (or Tê-Agbanlin) and his group to the region of Ajashe in the late 16th century.<ref name="Bradt"/> {{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

In 1730, the Portuguese Eucaristo de Campos named the city "Porto-Novo." Although colonizers claim the name was due to its resemblance to the city of [[Porto]],<ref>Mathurin C. Houngnikpo, Samuel Decalo, ''Historical Dictionary of Benin'', Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2013, p. 297</ref><ref>Britannica,
[https://www.britannica.com/place/Porto-Novo-Benin Porto-Novo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621103055/https://www.britannica.com/place/Porto-Novo-Benin |date=2019-06-21 }}, britannica.com, USA, accessed on July 7, 2019</ref> the real reason was to signal the development of a new port for the [[History of slavery|slave trade]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DdCWpuRrAogC&q=Porto+Novo+Yoruba+Oyo+Kingdom+Dahomey+Benin+history&pg=PT107|title=Languages of Urban West Africa|author=Fiona McLaughlin|isbn=978-1-4411-5-81-30|year=2011|publisher=A&C Black |access-date=March 9, 2015|archive-date=2022-03-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314110201/https://books.google.com/books?id=DdCWpuRrAogC&q=Porto+Novo+Yoruba+Oyo+Kingdom+Dahomey+Benin+history&pg=PT107|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1861, the [[United Kingdom|British]], who were active in nearby [[Nigeria]], bombarded the city, which caused the Kingdom of Porto-Novo to accept the [[France|French]] offer of protection in 1863.<ref name="prelude">{{cite book|url=|last=Hargreaves|first=John|title=Prelude to the Partition of West Africa|access-date=|year=1963|publisher=MacMilland|location=London|pages=59–60|url-access=|via=|isbn=}}{{ISBN?}}</ref> The neighbouring [[Kingdom of Dahomey]] objected to French involvement in the region and war broke out between the two states. In 1883, Porto-Novo was incorporated into the French "colony of [[Dahomey]] and its dependencies" and in 1900, it became Dahomey's capital city.<ref name="Bradt"/> As a consequence, the city’s inhabitants, who previously spoke local languages, began to adopt French alongside them, with the addition of French to the language repertoire of the city's inhabitants.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} Unlike the city's earlier [[Ogu people|Gun]] migrants, however, the French sought to impose their language in all spheres of life and completely stamp out the use and proliferation of indigenous languages.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

[[File:Y Pranishnikoff, Porto Novo, Groupe de Naturels (1887).jpg|thumb|left|Porto-Novo (1887)]] 
The kings of Porto-Novo continued to rule in the city, both officially and unofficially, until the death of the last king, [[Alohinto Gbeffa]], in 1976.<ref name="Bradt">Butler, Stuart (2019) ''Bradt Travel Guide - Benin'', pgs. 121-131</ref> From 1908, the king held the title of ''Chef supérieur''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Vidégla |first1=Michel |title=Porto-Novo: patrimoine et développement |date=2013 |publisher=Éditions de la Sorbonne |isbn=979-10-351-1049-9 |pages=81–108 |url=https://books.openedition.org/psorbonne/136906?lang=en |access-date=31 July 2025 |language=fr |chapter=Les éléments sombres de l’histoire de Porto-Novo : esclavage et colonisation}}</ref>

Many [[Afro-Brazilian]]s settled in Porto-Novo following their return to Africa after [[abolitionism|emancipation]] in [[Brazil]].{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} Brazilian architecture and foods are important to the city's cultural life.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

Under French colonial rule, flight across the new [[Benin-Nigeria border|border]] to British-ruled [[Nigeria]] in order to avoid harsh taxation, military service and forced labour was common.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} Of note is the fact that the Nigeria-Benin southern border area arbitrarily cuts through contiguous areas of Yoruba and [[Ogu people|Egun]]-speaking people. A combination of the aforementioned facts, coupled with the fact that the city itself lies within the sphere of Nigerian socioeconomic influence, have given Porto-Novians a preference for some measure of bi-nationality or dual citizenship, with the necessary linguistic consequences; for example, Nigerian home video films in Yoruba with English subtitles have become popular in Porto-Novo and its suburbs.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

==Seat of government==
Benin's parliament ([[National Assembly (Benin)|''Assemblée nationale'']]) is in Porto-Novo, the official capital, but most of the others government institutions, including the presidency, are located in [[Cotonou]]. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=WordCapital org |date=2025-09-27 |title=Benin |url=https://worldcapitals.org/africa/benin/ |access-date=2025-10-18 |website=Capital |language=en}}</ref>

== Economy ==
[[File:Marche ouando porto-novo.jpg|thumb|300px|Ouando Market in Porto-Novo]]
The region around Porto-Novo produces [[palm oil]], [[cotton]] and [[Ceiba pentandra|kapok]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Foster |first1=F. Blanche |title=Dahomey |date=1971 |publisher=F. Watts |isbn=978-0-531-00720-4 |page=49 |language=en |quote=A large agricultural school in Porto Novo prepares its students for their role in manufacturing such goods as soap, exported palm oil, cotton, and kapok.}}</ref> [[Petroleum]] was discovered off the coast of the city in 1968 and has become an important export since the 1990s.<ref>{{cite book |last1=McColl |first1=R. W. |title=Encyclopedia of World Geography |date=14 May 2014 |publisher=Infobase Publishing |isbn=978-0-8160-7229-3 |page=90 |language=en}}</ref> Porto-Novo has a cement factory.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} The city is home to a branch of the [[Banque Internationale du Bénin]], a major bank in Benin, and the [[Ouando Market]].{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

== Transport ==
[[File:Joseph H Ahissou photo charcoal transportation in PortoNovo.jpg|thumb|Charcoal transportation by motorcycle]]
Porto-Novo is served by an extension of the [[Bénirail]] train system.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} Privately owned motorcycle taxis known as ''zemijan'' are used throughout the city.<ref>{{Citation|title=ZEMIJAN - Taxis motos (Bénin, ancien Dahomey)| date=22 January 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-nzWaCHRiE|language=en|access-date=2023-02-18}}</ref> The city is located about {{convert|40|km|abbr=off}} away from [[Cotonou Airport]], which has flights to major cities in West Africa and Europe.

== Demographics ==
Porto-Novo had an enumerated population of 264,320 in 2013.<ref name="citypopulation.de"/> As of 2023, estimates suggest a population of around 300,000. The residents are mostly [[Yoruba People|Yoruba]] and Gun people as well as people from other parts of the country, and from neighbouring [[Nigeria]].

Population trend:<ref name="citypopulation.de"/>
*1979: 133,168  (census)
*1992: 179,138  (census)
*2002: 223,552  (census)
*2013: 264,320  (census)

== Geography ==
Porto-Novo is located in the south of Benin, 13 kilometers from the [[Atlantic Ocean]], separated by a [[lagoon]].<ref>Emma-Christiane Leite, "Dynamique des écosystèmes aquatiques au Bénin : le cas du complexe [[Nokoué Lake]]-lagoon of Porto-Novo", in Koffi Atta, Tanga Pierre Zoungrana et al., ''Logiques paysannes et espaces agraires en Afrique'', Karthala, 2010, pp. 273–290. {{ISBN|9782811103699}}</ref> Its altitude is approximately 38 meters<ref>{{cite web |title=Current Local Time in Porto Novo, Benin |url=https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/benin/porto-novo |website=TimeandDate.com |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref> and it covers an area of 52 km².<ref name="Gandounou8">{{harvtxt|Gandonou|2006|p=8}}.</ref>

It is located 30 kilometers east of [[Cotonou]], the economic capital, and 12 kilometers from the [[Benin–Nigeria border|Nigerian border]] to the east. Neighboring municipalities include [[Akpro-Missérété]], [[Avrankou]], and [[Adjarra]] to the north, [[Sèmè-Podji]] to the south, [[Adjarra]] to the east, and [[Aguégués]] to the west.

=== Climate ===
Porto-Novo has a [[tropical savanna climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Aw'') with consistently hot and humid conditions and two wet seasons: a long wet season from March to July and a shorter rain season in September and October. The city’s location on the edge of the [[Dahomey Gap]] makes it much drier than would be expected so close to the equator, although it is less dry than [[Accra]] or [[Lomé]].
{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=yes
|single line=yes
|location= Porto-Novo
|temperature colour=
|Jan mean C=27
|Feb mean C=28
|Mar mean C=28
|Apr mean C=28
|May mean C=27
|Jun mean C=26
|Jul mean C=25
|Aug mean C=25
|Sep mean C=25
|Oct mean C=26
|Nov mean C=27
|Dec mean C=27
|year mean C=26
|rain colour= green
|Jan rain mm=23
|Feb rain mm=34
|Mar rain mm=86
|Apr rain mm=127
|May rain mm=215
|Jun rain mm=370
|Jul rain mm=129
|Aug rain mm=44
|Sep rain mm=89
|Oct rain mm=140
|Nov rain mm=52
|Dec rain mm=16
|source 1= <ref name=Weatherbase>{{Cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=653440&refer=&cityname=Porto-Novo-Benin&units= |title=Weatherbase |publisher=Weatherbase |access-date=December 13, 2012 |archive-date=March 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200306003711/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=653440&refer=&cityname=Porto-Novo-Benin&units= |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

==Administrative divisions==
[[File:Buildings of the National Assembly of Benin 2019.jpg|thumb|The National Assembly building]]
* [[1st arrondissement of Porto-Novo|1st arrondissement]]
* [[2nd arrondissement of Porto-Novo|2nd arrondissement]]
* [[3rd arrondissement of Porto-Novo|3rd arrondissement]]
* [[4th arrondissement of Porto-Novo|4th arrondissement]]
* [[5th arrondissement of Porto-Novo|5th arrondissement]]

==Culture==
*The [[Porto Novo Museum of Ethnography|Porto-Novo Museum of Ethnography]] contains a large collection of [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] masks, as well as items on the history of the city and of Benin.<ref name="Bradt"/>
*[[King Toffa's Palace]] (also known as the ''Musée Honmé'' and the Royal Palace), now a museum, shows what life was like for African royalty.<ref name="Bradt"/> The palace and the surrounding district was added to the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage]] Tentative List on October 31, 1996 in the Cultural category.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/871/ |title=La ville de Porto-Novo : quartiers anciens et Palais Royal - UNESCO World Heritage Centre |access-date=2019-12-26 |archive-date=2022-09-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912011324/https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/871/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*''Jardin Place Jean Bayol'' is a large plaza which contains a statue of the first King of Porto-Novo.
*The Da Silva Museum is a museum of Beninese history.<ref name="Bradt"/> It shows what life was like for the returning Afro-Brazilians.
*The ''palais de Gouverneur'' (governor's palace) is the home of the national legislature.
*The  Isèbayé Foundation is a museum of [[West African Vodun|Voodoo]] and Beninese history.<ref name="Bradt"/>

==Music==
[[Adjogan]] music is endemic to Porto-Novo.<ref>{{Citation|title=Chants & danses Adjogan à Porto-Novo (Hogbonou) - Archives (Bénin, ancien Dahomey)| date=22 January 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEWznXa7mwo|language=en|access-date=2023-02-18}}</ref>  The style of music is played on an [[alounloun]], a stick with metallic rings attached which jingle in time with the beating of the stick.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} The alounloun is said to descend from the staff of office of King Te-Agdanlin and was traditionally played to honour the King and his ministers.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} The music is also played in the city's [[Roman Catholic]] churches, but the royal bird crest symbol has been replaced with a cross.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

==Sports==
The ''Stade Municipal'' and the ''Stade Charles de Gaulle'' are the largest [[football (soccer)|football]] stadiums in the city.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

== Places of worship ==
[[File: Grande Mosquee Porto-Novo Benin Joseph Herve Ahissou.jpg|thumb|The ''Grande Mosquée'' in Porto-Novo. Its architecture was inspired by the churches of [[Salvador de Bahia]].{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}]]
[[File:Porto Novo Cathedral.jpg|thumb|Porto Novo Cathedral]]
Among the [[places of worship]], [[Christianity|Christian]] churches are predominant: [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Porto Novo]] ([[Catholic Church]]), [[Protestant Methodist Church in Benin]] ([[World Methodist Council]]), [[Celestial Church of Christ]], [[Union of Baptist Churches of Benin]] ([[Baptist World Alliance]]), [[Living Faith Church Worldwide]], [[Redeemed Christian Church of God]], [[Assemblies of God]].<ref>J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, ‘‘Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices’’, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p. 338</ref> There are also [[Islam|Muslim]] mosques, most notably the Grand Mosque.<ref name="Bradt"/> There are also several [[West African Vodún|Voodoo]] temples in the city.<ref name="Bradt"/>

====Temple of Abessan and Zangbeto Shrine====

[[File:Temple du monstre à 9 têtes au quartier Bèsan à Porto-novo Bénin.jpg|thumb|The new Temple of Abessan building, designed to resemble a termite mound and built in 2007<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://shs.hal.science/halshs-00413056v1/document |journal=Africa e Mediterraneo |volume=67 |date=2009 |pages=16-20 |last=Juhé-Beaulaton |first=Dominique |title=Le vodou au cœur des processus de création et de patrimonialisation au Bénin}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350452952_Hidden_Heritage_Tourism_and_Vodun_in_Porto-Novo_Saskia_Cousin |title=Anthropology as a Driver for Tourism Research |chapter=Hidden Heritage? Tourism and Vodun in Porto-Novo |first=Saskia |last=Cousin |publisher=Garant |date=2015 |pages=69-91}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.openedition.org/psorbonne/137436 |title=Porto-Novo: patrimoine et développement |chapter=Extension du domaine de la restauration. Porto-Novo capitale: entre vision patrimoniale, modernité vodun et regard touristique |publisher=Éditions de la Sorbonne |last1=Cousin |first1=Saskia |date=2013 |pages=441-458 |doi=10.4000/12r6g}}</ref>]]
[[File:Temple des Zangbeto,Porto-Novo, Bénin.jpg|thumb|The Zangbeto Shrine, national headquarters of the [[Zangbeto]], built in 2007]]

In 2007 as part of the development of tourist attractions in the city two new monumental buildings related to Voodoo were constructed, financed by the Benin Chamber of Commerce (CCB) and designed by an architectural firm.<ref name=":1">{{cite journal |url=https://shs.hal.science/halshs-00413056v1/document |journal=Africa e Mediterraneo |volume=67 |date=2009 |pages=16-20 |last=Juhé-Beaulaton |first=Dominique |title=Le vodou au cœur des processus de création et de patrimonialisation au Bénin |quote=''Le temple d’Avessan (photo) représente un autre exemple de transition encore plus avancée dans la monumentalité avec la construction récente (décembre 2007) d’une termitière géante d’une dizaine de mètres évoquant le mythe d’apparition du vodou Avessan, monstre à neuf têtes sorti d’une termitière, dont l’origine remonte à l’installation de trois chasseurs yoruba. Ce bâtiment abrite désormais le siège du vodou et un musée dont les aménagements ont été réalisés par un cabinet d’architectes et financés par la Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Porto Novo. Le site est encore marqué par deux espèces végétales, mais il n’y a plus d’iroko. On assiste ainsi à l’apparition de nouveaux processus patrimoniaux où le végétal est de moins en moins présent et les éléments naturels, comme la termitière, remplacés par un édifice original dans sa conception car inspiré du récit d’origine.''" '''English translation: '''"The Avessan temple (photo) represents another example of an even more advanced transition in monumentality with the recent construction (December 2007) of a giant termite mound measuring around ten meters, evoking the myth of the appearance of the Avessan voodoo, a nine-headed monster that emerged from a termite mound, whose origins date back to the arrival of three Yoruba hunters. This building now houses the headquarters of the voodoo and a museum, which was designed by an architectural firm and financed by the Porto Novo Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The site is still marked by two plant species, but there are no longer any iroko trees. We are thus witnessing the emergence of new heritage processes in which plants are less and less present and natural elements, such as termite mounds, are replaced by buildings that are original in their design because they are inspired by the story of their origin.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350452952_Hidden_Heritage_Tourism_and_Vodun_in_Porto-Novo_Saskia_Cousin |title=Anthropology as a Driver for Tourism Research |chapter=Hidden Heritage? Tourism and Vodun in Porto-Novo |first=Saskia |last=Cousin |publisher=Garant |date=2015 |pages=69-91}}</ref> The first of these was a new temple building dedicated to the god Abessan (or Avessan) consisting of a 10-metre-tall tower designed to resemble a [[Mound-building termites|termite mound]]. This design was inspired by the mythical emergence of Abessan from a termite mound.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=https://www.ouadada.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Dossier-Technique-place-Avessan.pdf |title=RÉNOVATION ET VALORISATION DE LA PLACE ABÊSSAN ET DES FAÇADES DES MAISONS SITUÉES DANS LA RUE MENANT VERS LE SITE DES TROIS CHASSEURS YOROUBA DANS LE QUARTIER AKRON: DOSSIER TECHNIQUE| website=ouadada.com |last1=Houénoudé |first1=Didier |quote=''Dans les années 2006-2007, le temple a fait l’objet d’une reconstruction financée par le président de la Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie du Bénin d’alors, lui-même yoruba originaire de Porto-Novo. Le résultat de cette reconstruction fut une interprétation au premier degré du mythe dans sa version fantastique. Ainsi, à la place de la petite case circulaire originelle, l’on érigea une termitière géante sous forme de tour aux allures des châteaux-forts d’Europe médiévale. Au sommet de la termitière géante, émerge des têtes de serpent, neuf pour faire allusion au monstre à neuf têtes. La tour est surmontée aujourd’hui d’une tête humaine dorée arborant une couronne elle aussi dorée.''" '''English translation: ''' "In 2006-2007, the temple underwent reconstruction financed by the then president of the Benin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, himself a Yoruba native of Porto-Novo. The result of this reconstruction was a literal interpretation of the myth in its fantastical version. Thus, in place of the original small circular hut, a giant termite mound was erected in the form of a tower resembling the fortified castles of medieval Europe. At the top of the giant termite mound, nine snake heads emerge, alluding to the nine-headed monster. Today, the tower is topped by a golden human head wearing a golden crown.}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=https://shs.hal.science/halshs-00413056v1/document |journal=Africa e Mediterraneo |volume=67 |date=2009 |pages=16-20 |last=Juhé-Beaulaton |first=Dominique |title=Le vodou au cœur des processus de création et de patrimonialisation au Bénin}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.openedition.org/psorbonne/137738?lang=en|title=Porto-Novo: patrimoine et développement |chapter=Cahier couleur |publisher=Éditions de la Sorbonne |editor-last1=Mengin |editor-first1=Christine|editor-first2=Alain|editor-last2=Godonou |date=2013 |pages=I-XXXII |doi=10.4000/12ral}}</ref> This modern building is not a reconstruction of an earlier temple but rather a new construction and design inspired by the mythical origin of Abessan.<ref name=":1" /> The current structure replaced an earlier temple building which was a small circular hut.<ref name=":0" /> The second was a new building for the national headquarters of the [[Zangbeto]], which is designed to resemble a large cone made of [[Raffia palm|raffia]] and represents the figure of Kpakliyaho (the ancestor of the Zangbeto).<ref>{{cite book |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350452952_Hidden_Heritage_Tourism_and_Vodun_in_Porto-Novo_Saskia_Cousin |title=Anthropology as a Driver for Tourism Research |chapter=Hidden Heritage? Tourism and Vodun in Porto-Novo |first=Saskia |last=Cousin |publisher=Garant |date=2015 |pages=69-91 |quote=two important monuments financed by local economic organizations have been erected in the last few years in honour of traditional societies and of Vodun: the national headquarters of the Zangbeto, in the form of a monumental cone made of raffia representing the figure of Kpakliyaho (the ancestor of the Zangbeto) [Figure 4.3] and the giant termite mound which is intended to replace the old temple dedicated to Avessan (or Abory Messan), a Yoruba divinity who founded the city of Hogbonou, before the arrival of the Gouns … These temples were financed by the Benin Chamber of Commerce (CCB) … They are part of the ‘important tourist sites’ in the city restoration project desired by the Benin Republic President, and large banners invite visitors to enter. The CCB’s avowed objective as explained on its website is to make of Porto-Novo the ‘hub of world tourism for the worship of the Vodun religion’ (Ahigni, 2006). Brand new and propounding a somewhat unorthodox interpretation of myths and legends, these buildings satisfy neither concerns to preserve cultural heritage, nor those of presenting historical truth or anthropological reality.}}</ref> The construction of these new monuments was part of the CCB’s plan to make Porto-Novo the "hub of world tourism for the worship of the [[West African Vodún|Vodun]] religion". These new buildings with their original designs have been strongly criticized by some heritage conservationists.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.openedition.org/psorbonne/137436 |title=Porto-Novo: patrimoine et développement |chapter=Extension du domaine de la restauration. Porto-Novo capitale: entre vision patrimoniale, modernité vodun et regard touristique |publisher=Éditions de la Sorbonne |last1=Cousin |first1=Saskia |date=2013 |pages=441-458 |doi=10.4000/12r6g}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[Alexis Adandé]], archaeologist<ref>{{Citation|last=N’Dah|first=Didier|title=Adandé, Alexis B. A.|date=2014|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology|pages=20–22|editor-last=Smith|editor-first=Claire|publisher=Springer|language=en|doi=10.1007/978-1-4419-0465-2_2359|isbn=978-1-4419-0465-2}}</ref>
*[[Grace Aboh Dotou]], teacher, entrepreneur and activist born in Porto-Novo
*[[Anicet Adjamossi]], footballer.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Anicet Adjamossi (Locminé), l'actu le palmares et les stats de Anicet Adjamossi|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur18568.html|access-date=2023-02-18|website=L'Équipe|language=fr}}</ref>
*[[Géraldine Faladé]], journalist.<ref>{{Cite web |language=fr |title=Géraldine Faladé (author of Turbulentes!) |url=https://www.babelio.com/auteur/Geraldine-Falade/351174 |website=Babelio |access-date=2021-07-09}}.</ref>
*[[Kamarou Fassassi]], politician.<ref name=Profile>{{cite web|url=http://www.gouv.bj/en/ministeres/mmeh/ministre.php |title=Government page on Fassassi |access-date=2007-05-07 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031119161620/http://www.gouv.bj/en/ministeres/mmeh/ministre.php |archive-date=November 19, 2003 |language=fr}}.</ref>
*[[Romuald Hazoume]], artist<ref>{{Cite web|title=OCTOBER GALLERY &#124; ROMUALD HAZOUMÈ &#124; ART &#124; BIOGRAPHY &#124; ART FOR SALE|url=https://octobergallery.co.uk/artists/hazoume?slug=hazoume/|access-date=2023-02-18|website=octobergallery.co.uk}}</ref>
*[[Samuel Oshoffa]], who founded the [[Celestial Church of Christ]].<ref name="crumbly">{{cite book|last=Crumbly|first=Deidre Helen|title=Spirit, Structure, and Flesh: Gendered Experiences in African Instituted Churches Among the Yoruba of Nigeria|publisher=University of Wisconsin Press|year=2008|pages=54|isbn=978-0-299-22910-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=olMmvHsB-C4C&q=Samuel+Bilehou+Oshoffa&pg=PA54|access-date=2020-10-19|archive-date=2022-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213010404/https://books.google.com/books?id=olMmvHsB-C4C&q=Samuel+Bilehou+Oshoffa&pg=PA54|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Claudine Talon]], [[First Lady of Benin|first lady of Benin]] (since 2016)<ref name=ain>{{cite news |first= |last=|title=Discrète mais influente Claudine Gbènagnon Talon |url=https://www.africaintelligence.fr/afrique-ouest-et-centrale_politique/2018/05/23/discrete-mais-influente-claudine-gbenagnon-talon,108311225-art |work=[[Africa Intelligence]] |publisher= |date=2018-05-23 |access-date=2022-05-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810123138/https://www.africaintelligence.fr/afrique-ouest-et-centrale_politique/2018/05/23/discrete-mais-influente-claudine-gbenagnon-talon,108311225-art |archive-date=2020-08-10 |url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Kojo Tovalou Houénou|Marc Tovalou Quenum]], lawyer, writer and pan-Africanist.<ref>[[Kojo Tovalou Houénou|Marc Tovalou Quenum profile]], (in English)</ref>
*[[Paulin Soumanou Vieyra]], director and author<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 12, 2018 |title=Vieyra, Paulin Soumanou |website=African Film Festival |url=https://africanfilmny.org/directors/paulin-soumanou-vieyra/|access-date=2023-02-18|language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[Baba Yabo]], comedian
*[[Gaston Zossou]], politician

==See also==
* [[Beninois Yoruba]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |publisher = Routledge |isbn = 1884964036 |title = International Dictionary of Historic Places: Middle East and Africa |date = 1996 |editor=Noelle Watson |location=UK |chapter=Porto-Novo (Oueme, Benin) |author=Sappho Charney |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6XMBAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA588 |page=588+ }}

== External links ==
{{sister project links|d=Q3799|c=Category:Porto-Novo|n=no|b=no|q=no|v=no|voy=Porto-Novo|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070409034549/http://www.benintourisme.com/en/interne.php?idrub=10&id=79 Official Republic of Benin tourism site for Porto-Novo]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061005064316/http://www.gouv.bj/en/benin/tourisme/porto.php Official Benin government website information about Porto-Novo]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070930002423/http://www.porto-novo.biz/php/intro.php porto-novo.biz]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070312202425/http://archnet.org/library/images/thumbnails.tcl?location_id=3357 Images of the Central Mosque of Porto-Novo]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110604040756/http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Instruments/Anglais/measa_j_txt04a_en.html Adjogan]

{{Yoruba topics}}
{{List of African capitals}}
{{Communes of Benin}}
{{Ouémé Department}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Porto-Novo| ]]
[[Category:Capitals in Africa]]
[[Category:Communes of Benin]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Benin]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Ouémé Department]]
[[Category:Cities in Yorubaland]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 16th century]]