Like many African nations, Benin was previously colonized by Europeans, in this case, specifically the French. During this time French was taught in schools, and much of Benin literature is written in French, where as prior to French colonization, much of the French literary history is based around oral traditions.

Even still, many of the writers throughout the early 20th century were interested in preserving Beninese history and culture.

In 1960, Benin gained its independence from France, and since then Benin literature has featured a wide array of themes and topics, one of which being feminist literature, as in Benin culture patriarchy is part of their social structure. 

Today French is still the official language of Benin, however there is also literature in Fon, Yom, Yoruba, Gen, Kabiye, Tammari, Bariba, and Fulfulde.

Because so little of the traditional Beninese folktales and oral stories have been converted to writing, many of these historic tales are being lost, which has prompted a movement to try to preserve as much Beninese history and tradition as possible.