After Ligbo's death, it was decided that whoever could succeed at taming a buffalo and riding it would become his successor.

He waged wars with the inhabitants of the region and eventually imposed his authority on them, mainly on the Yoruba, who nicknamed him 'Oba-Guidi' (true chief).

Rhako, not wanting to resist Dako-Donou, migrated north with his subjects to the Honhoungo region, near the large Yoruba village of Tchébélou.

However, when the banquet ended, Rhako and his men surprise-massacred the population of Tchébélou and founded the village of Savalou on top of it to be the capital of his future kingdom.

Rhako subjugated the nearby localities of Doïssa, Ouèssè, Koutago, and Zounzonkanmè and founded the Kingdom of Savalou.

On January 30, 1894,[4] the seventh king of Savalou, Gbaguidi VIII, signed a treaty with Dodds to be put under protectorate status.