Benin
Order
of the Black Star - (1889-1963) This
Order was established by King Toffa of Porto-Novo (present day capital
of Benin) to recognize the service of his loyal subjects and the French
Colonial forces, which assisted them in the Dahomey War. It was adopted
as an official Order of France in 1896. It was awarded in five classes
(Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight). France bestowed
the Order on Army and Navy officers, who served in French West Africa
(Senegal, Sudan, Niger, Guinea, Dahomey (Benin) and the Ivory Coast) and
also in Equatorial Africa (Congo, Gabon, Tchad and Oubangi-Chari (Central
African Republic)). The Order is designed as a Maltese cross with four
white enamel arms with borders of blue. Four golden rays (silver for Knights)
are placed between each arm of the cross. A small five-pointed black star
is mounted on the center of the planchet. The planchet is suspended from
the pale blue ribbon by a green enamel laurel wreath. The reverse is the
same as the obverse. The decoration is 45 mm for Knights and 62 mm for
the other grades.
National
Order of Dahomey (1960-1986)
The
National Order of Dahomey was the highest award of the independent country
until replaced by the National Order of Benin. It is a five-pointed star
with rays between each point. The obverse features the coat-of-arms of
the country surrounded by a laurel wreath. The reverse has a central disk
surrounded by the inscription, REPUBLIQUE DU DAHOMEY 1960 and FRATERNITE-JUSTICE-TRAVAIL
on three lines in the center.
National Order of Dahomey
Benin Order of Social Merit, Order of Merit Version 2 and Version 1
& Order of Agricultural Merit
Other Post-Colonial
Medals
- National Order of the Popular Republic of Benin
- Medal of Honor of the Police
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