Editing Parakou (section)

== History ==
The city was founded in the 16th century by traders.<ref>Mathurin C. Houngnikpo, Samuel Decalo, ''Historical Dictionary of Benin'', Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2013, p. 281</ref> In the 18th century Parakou, like much of the surrounding region, came under the rule of princes from [[Nikki, Benin|Nikki]].{{sfn|Akinwumi|1999|p=219}}<ref name = Adekunle>{{cite journal |last1=Adekunle |first1=Julius |title=Borgu and Economic Transformation 1700-1900: The Wangara Factor |page = 10-11|journal=African Economic History |date=1994 |volume=22  |url= https://doi.org/10.2307/3601665 |access-date=19 March 2025}}</ref> The defeat of the Nikki-led invasion of [[Ilorin]] in 1837 and death of its king gave Parakou and the other vassals an opportunity to seize more control over trade and increase their political independence.{{sfn|Akinwumi|1999|p=219}} The [[Anglo-French Convention of 1898]] divided the [[Borgu]] federation in two. Parakou became the main administrative center of the half that was joined to [[French Dahomey]].{{sfn|Akinwumi|1999|p=220}}