While the full two-volume work covers the breadth of Dahomean civilization, focuses primarily on the foundations of the state and the daily mechanics of its society. Its primary sections include:
Analyzes the structures of kinship, clanship, and secret societies that formed the backbone of Dahomean life outside of the royal palace. Dahomey, an ancient West African kingdom, vol. 1
Details the origins of the kingdom, which was founded around 1600 CE. It explores the "path of the leopard" origin myths and the migration of the Fon people to the Abomey plateau. While the full two-volume work covers the breadth