SAGE Reference - Encyclopedia of African Religion

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Fon

By: Sbantrelle P. Lewis
In: Encyclopedia of African Religion
Edited by: Molefi Kete Asante & Ama Mazama
Subject:Black Studies
Keywords:ancestors; dynasties; goddess; gods; monarchy; rituals; vodu

The Fon people of present-day Benin are the people of the Dahomey Kingdom, often referred to by Europeans as Dahomeans. Their customs and history have been well documented over the past few centuries by the many people who visited their land, as well as the Fon's own oral historians. In addition to their great historical legacy, the Fon are well known for their urban organization, the history of their warrior women, and their religion of Vodu. This entry looks at their historical background as well as their religious beliefs and practices.

Origins of the Fon

Dahomey was a well-organized kingdom that coalesced in the 16th century, during which time it was established as a monarchy by King Tacoodonu, who conquered Abomey in the early part of the ...

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  Lewis, S. (2009). Fon. In M. K. Asante, & A. Mazama (Eds.), Encyclopedia of African religion (pp. 270-271). SAGE Publications, Inc., https://www.doi.org/10.4135/9781412964623.n175
  
  Lewis, Sbantrelle P. "Fon." In Encyclopedia of African Religion, edited by Asante, Molefi Kete., and Ama Mazama, 270-71. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2009. http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781412964623.n175.
  
  Lewis, S. 2009. Fon. In: Molefi K. Asante and Ama Mazama Editors, 2009. Encyclopedia of African Religion, Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. pp. 270-271 Available at: <http://www.doi.org/10.4135/9781412964623.n175> [Accessed 10 May 2021].
  
  Lewis, Sbantrelle P. "Fon." Encyclopedia of African Religion. Edited by Molefi K. Asante and Ama Mazama. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2009, pp. 270-71. SAGE Knowledge. 10 May 2021, doi: http://www.doi.org/10.4135/9781412964623.n175.
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Origins of the Fon

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