Dahomey's title refers to the former Kingdom of Dahomey, which collapsed in 1904 after a 304-year-long existence. French colonizers stole these artifacts in 1892. They were subsequently displayed ...
This is not a simple documentary about the repatriation of precious artefacts. Director Mati Diop literally gives her country's royal treasures a voice in this rich and eerie film.
These artefacts are "royal treasures", an early title card in Mati Diop's documentary Dahomey informs us, that were pilfered from the kingdom of Dahomey by French colonisers in an 1892 invasion.