Benin, is a francophone country rich in history and culture, derived from its pre-colonial vestiges as the Kingdom of Dahomey (Dan-Home). The Dahomey Kingdom was founded by the Adja people who migrated from Tado, a region that is currently called Togo. The Dahomey Kingdom was a great warrior state, which engaged in numerous wars with neighboring countries and European pre-colonialists. By virtue of its military might in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, Dahomey played a central role in the transatlantic slave trade. During this era, Dahomey developed close trading relationships with many European Slave traders. However this close relationship ultimately led to the defeat of the kingdom by France during the Franco - Dahomean war which took place between 1890 and 1894. By 1900, France had conquered the Bariba kingdoms in the northern section of the country and secured full colonial control over Dahomey.