Cultural Diversity

Sierra Pytel

Cultural Diversity

April 26, 2012

I. My culture I chose was Benin. I chose this culture because I want to learn about it. I do not know anything about it and I like learning about things that I previously would not have known existed. Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, is a small country in West Africa was colonized by the French and Portuguese. The country used to take part in slave trade until it was terminated in 1885. They gained independence from the French in 1960. After 1990 Benin elected a president and reorganized the army, however some people are still unhappy with the weak economy. There are about 42 ethnic groups in Benin and there are 51 languages spoken in Benin, however the official language is French.

II. The geography of Benin is a sandy and coastal plain in the north they have a finely wooded savannah area. Benin shows little variation in elevation and can be divided into four areas from the south to the north; it has low-lying, sandy, coastal plain. It is marshy and dotted with lakes and lagoons communicating with the ocean. Behind the coast lies the Guinean forest-savanna mosaic covered plateaus of southern Benin which are split by valleys running north to south along the Couffo, Zou, and Oueme Rivers. Benin's climate is hot and humid and it has two rainy and two dry seasons per year.

III. In Benin, family is very important. Although Benin may seem far away, the household operates pretty similarly to an American family. Beninese women play leading roles in the home. They make most of the decisions about home economics and with their children. Just like in the United State, it was formerly the husband's job to support the family. However, more Beninese women work outside the home. They tend small gardens or work in small businesses, and contribute to their home as well as the men.

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