How did Christianity spread in southern Benin during the colonial era?

During the colonial era, the spread of Christianity in southern Benin was driven by a combination of missionary work and the influence of specific social groups. Missionaries were instrumental in introducing the religion and promoting Western education throughout the region.12

In addition to the efforts of missionaries, the expansion of Christianity was significantly supported by:

• Descendants of Portuguese settlers: These individuals played a key role in the cultural and religious shifts in the south.12
• Returning formerly enslaved people: Known as Brésiliens (or Brazilians), these individuals who returned from Portuguese colonies in the Americas were vital in spreading Christian faith and Western education.12

This concentration of missionary activity and cultural exchange in the south was so profound that by the 1950s, the region—then known as Dahomey—was frequently referred to as the "Latin Quarter" of French West Africa. Notably, this influence remained largely confined to the south and did not extend into the Muslim-majority north.12