Discover · History · Ouidah, Benin
A Luso-Brazilian merchant who became the most powerful man in Ouidah's trade in the 19th century. A history that must be told in full, not just its glorified part.
Francisco Félix de Souza settled in Ouidah in the early 19th century and, by supporting King Ghezo's rise to the throne, became holder of the title of Chacha, a form of commercial viceroyalty granted by the kingdom of Dahomey. He then dominated trade on the coast, a major share of which rested on the slave trade.
This is a history that cannot be told by halves. De Souza amassed considerable wealth and power by actively participating in one of the most destructive systems in human history. Our guides never present this chapter as an achievement to admire without context: it is a documented historical fact, one that directly explains why the Slave Route exists as it does today.
His descendants, the de Souza family, remain today one of the best-known families of Ouidah, partly integrated into the Agouda community. Chacha Square, in the city center, still bears his name. Understanding this figure means understanding one of the most difficult, and most necessary, chapters of the city's history.
Visit duration
Historical context included in the Slave Route itinerary
Access
Chacha Square, central Ouidah.
Coordinates
6.3570, 2.0850
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