Aja people
Ethnic group of Benin and southeast Togo / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the ethnic group in South Sudan, see Aja people (South Sudan).
The Aja or Adja are an ethnic group native to south-western Benin and south-eastern Togo.[2] According to oral tradition, the Aja migrated to southern Benin in the 12th or 13th century from Tado on the Mono River, and c. 1600, three brothers, Kokpon, Do-Aklin, and Te-Agbanlin, split the ruling of the region then occupied by the Aja amongst themselves: Kokpon took the capital city of Great Ardra, reigning over the Allada kingdom; Do-Aklin founded Abomey, which would become capital of the Kingdom of Dahomey; and Te-Agbanlin founded Little Ardra, also known as Ajatche, later called Porto Novo (literally, "New Port") by Portuguese traders and the current capital city of Benin.
Quick Facts Total population, Regions with significant populations ...
Total population | |
---|---|
1,280,000[1] | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Benin | 1,090,000[1] |
Togo | 190,000[1] |
Languages | |
Adja, French | |
Religion | |
West African Vodun, Christianity | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Other Gbe peoples, primarily Ewe and Fon |
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