Paris and Dahomey Kojo Tovalou Houénou

green: french dahomey

lime: rest of french west africa

dark gray: other french possessions

darkest gray: french republic

in 1915, houénou given french citizenship, extremely rare status people of african descent @ point fewer 100 being citizens of france 1920. 1918, admitted bar association , became minor celebrity in paris, rumors of relationships (most notably french actress cécile sorel) published in french papers. houénou became involved french intellectual scene , tried active public intellectual, including 1921 publication of scientific study of phonetics , linguistics titled l’involution des métamorphoses et des métempsychoses de l’univers – l’involution phonétique ou méditations sur les métamorphoses et les métempsychoses du langage.

in late 1921, houénou returned dahomey first time since started education in france in 1900. father had been stripped of position advisor colonial government in 1903 , french authority had standing policy since 1908 limit influence in colony. seeing poverty existed in colony , particularly following 1923 riots in porto-novo, houénou gradually grew increasingly critical of french administration. tt point limited efforts change french administration of colonies , not end french colonial structure. interest in dahomey led him form organization amitié franco-dahoméenne in 1923 in order promote gradual reform of french colonial administration.

with new focus, changed spelling of last name quénum houénou, went traditional name kojo rather marc, , claimed royal title of prince. although nephew of béhanzin, last independent king of dahomey, claims prince dubious. indeed, claims being prince directly challenged in later knowlton divorce case in united states.

after returning france in 1923, houénou became center of large controversy regarding race in paris. while having drink @ el garòn nightclub in montmartre, houénou attacked americans angered presence of african in club. club owner responded struggle forcibly removing houénou , person of african descent club. situation became scandal french press , french government denouncing considered attempts americans impose racial segregation in france. while denouncing americans, french press elevated status of kojo significantly, referring him in 1 incident kind of colored pascal. although prior point houénou had taken limited role in promoting reform of french colonial administration, incident appeared change approach , began promote self-rule of african colonies on equal terms france.