Strange Articles of Food--Native Cookery--The River Amissa--Reception
by the Caboceer of Amissa--Soil, Fruits, &c.--An Adventure--Visit
from a Hyena--The River Anaqua--Arsafah--Soil, Fruits, &c.--Beautiful
Birds--Moors and Arabs here--Cattle--Return to Cape Coast--Hospitable
Reception there--Invitation from the King of Ashantee--My Reply--Visit
the Neighbourhood of Cape Coast--Coffee Plantations--Indolence
of the Natives--The Town of Napoleon--Eyau Awkwano--Fruits
Growing Spontaneously--Bad Roads--Singular Mode of Carrying
Timber--Cotton Trees--The Dwarf Cotton Shrub--Scene of a Sanguinary
Battle--Djewkwa--Native Houses--An Intoxicated Caboceer--The
Caboceer’s Presents--Account of him--Return to Cape Coast--Sail for
Whydah--Winnebah Method of Curing Fish--Natives--Stock--Neighbouring
Country--The Devil’s Hill--Soil--Yanwin (samphire)--The River
Jensu--Beautiful Birds--The King-fisher.
At 4 A.M. we resumed our journey to the River Amissa, distant three
miles. Our road passed over loose sand, and was very fatiguing to the
traveller. After walking about two miles, we came to a small lake,
where we found two fishermen busily engaged in cutting up a very
large shark, which they said they were dividing into so many cowries’
worth, or, as we should say, two pennyworths. Here “all is fish that
comes to net.” They eat anything; alligators, alligators’ eggs, dogs,
monkeys, cats,--in fact, there are few things they will not devour as
a meal. Their method of cooking is certainly very good. Their soups
and stews are wholesome; and their palm-soup is delicious, either made
with fish or fowl; it is seasoned with palm-oil and pepper. Kankie, a
sort of bread made from the Indian corn, coarsely ground, is the most
common food, as wheaten bread is in Europe. Of vegetables they have
great varieties: yams, cassada, or manioc root, sweet potatoes, and
plantains, as well as many other herbs used for soups. We saw at this
place the remains of a very large whale, which had been driven on shore
some time before.
After passing along the beach, still on the loose sand, about one mile,
we reached the river Amissa, which might more correctly be called a
lake. The whole of the party except myself were carried across by the
same men who had carried them the previous part of the journey; but
I, having no carriers, was ferried across by one of the chief’s or
caboceer’s canoes, which happened to be on the lake. After crossing it,
we immediately proceeded to the kroom, or village, named, from the lake
or river, Amissa. Here the old caboceer received us very kindly, and
soon cleared out a house for our accommodation. We then walked round
the village, which is pleasantly situated on a good soil, differing
from any I had seen on the coast farther westward. It is black, loamy,
and very rich and fertile, bearing many large trees of different kinds,
such as cocoas, bananas, and plantains, in great abundance. Pine-apples
come up spontaneously.
After walking round the kroom, we went to the river to bathe, and
found that it had risen considerably since we crossed it, as the sea,
when near high water, flows into it. It has here, however, nearly
banked itself off. The water of this lake is very salt, although it is
constantly fed by a freshwater stream from the N.W. This river forms a
lagoon at a short distance from the sea, eastwards. On returning to our
lodgings, which had nothing but bare walls, we made a hearty supper,
sitting or lying on the ground or floor, and were afterwards joined
by the good old caboceer over a glass of grog, which he very readily
accepted, accompanied by some of his captains. Thus we amused ourselves
till twelve o’clock, when one of our party having got a little too
much, became rather quarrelsome, and by some accident upset the candle,
so that we were left in total darkness, for as the hut had no windows,
we were not benefited by the moonlight. The old caboceer seemed much
alarmed, and clasped me tightly round the waist with both his arms
for protection. A light was, however, soon procured by help of a
lucifer-match, and lo! all the old chief’s captains had deserted him,
supposing the light had been purposely extinguished for some hostile
design. The old man, however, was soon convinced of the contrary, and
I escorted him home to his house, which differed from those already
described only by having the fire-place inside instead of outside of
it. When I returned all the party lay down to rest till the morning.
I had borrowed a grass mat from the caboceer, and the others lay in
their baskets. Musquitoes, however, were so numerous that we could get
no rest; at about half-past two A.M. my friend Mr. Brewe and his wife
were entirely driven out, and made an attempt to sleep in the street,
but found their tormentors still more numerous there; whereupon, they
resolved upon beating a retreat back to Annamaboe. However, as I had
already walked twelve miles in a scorching sun and over a miserable
road, I felt no inclination to accompany them, particularly as we had
not yet seen any thing of the neighbouring country. Besides which, we
had not finished our intended journey.
My remonstrances, however, were in vain. Mr. Brewe had determined
to return, and awoke my other friend, who was comfortably reposing
under the protecting influence of Bacchus. He had felt nothing of
the musquitoes, and very much wished to remain till morning; but Mr.
Brewe was not to be dissuaded, and accordingly ordered his servants and
baggage to get into marching order. I determined, notwithstanding, to
remain alone. Mr. Brewe showed great anxiety for my safety, and very
kindly left the provision-boxes for my use during the next two days,
which was very desirable, for our money is of no value in this country,
cowries being the only currency known.
After the departure of my friends, I lay down outside of the hut, and
was just falling asleep, when I felt something touch my cap. I was not
alarmed, however, supposing it to be either a dog or a pig, smelling
at my head; but on moving my head, and making a noise to drive away my
unwelcome visitor, the animal made more noise in his retreat than it
seemed possible for a dog to make, and moved much faster than a pig.
This circumstance induced me to get up, when, to my astonishment, the
same animal having been obliged to repass me, as it had been frustrated
in its first attempt to escape by getting bewildered amongst the
houses, it turned out to be a large hyena, or, as the natives call it,
a patakoo. These beasts are so ravenous and so numerous, that they
frequently carry off cattle, pigs, poultry, and even dig or scratch up
dead bodies.
In the morning, when the old caboceer visited me, I informed him of
what had happened, and he congratulated me upon my escape, as he
assured me that those beasts frequently carry off a bullock or a hog.
After breakfast the caboceer called again upon me, inviting me to go
to his house to be introduced to his family, and to drink with him. He
pressed me very much to remain with him a few days, but I begged him
to excuse me, promising to come another time and remain there a short
time. The village bears nearly the same direction by the compass as the
other two places already mentioned.
December 1st.--At 10 A.M. I set off on my journey to the river Anaqua,
only two miles distant. It is now the dry season and is very small; it
runs into the lagoon, which I was obliged to cross in my way to the
small village or kroom named Arsafah. This kroom is situated between
the lagoon and the sea, but close to the latter. Its natives are
maintained chiefly by fishing. But at a little distance in the interior
much corn is produced, and it is often brought to this place for
shipment, sometimes at the rate of sixpence per bushel.
The soil is much more fertile here than at Cape Coast. Cocoa-nuts grow
in great abundance, although near the sea no trees of any considerable
size are to be found. The ground is mostly covered with shrubs and
small trees, about ten or twelve feet high. At this place I saw some
very handsome birds, of beautiful plumage, such as the splendid
crown-bird. They are very wild; few of them, indeed, are stationary
in any part of this coast. They migrate every three months, and some
continue here only a few days, not remaining to breed, perhaps as being
too near the sea. The fish taken in this lagoon have a much better
flavour than those caught in the sea.
The inhabitants of this place are much like those of Accra; much better
made than the natives of Cape Coast, the form of their head being much
finer. I found, upon inquiry among some of the old people, that they
had come from a great distance in the interior, and belonged to various
tribes, which I could distinguish from the marks upon their faces. Some
Moors and Arabs have even found their way to this part of the west
coast. They are, as at all other places which I have yet visited in
this country, very indolent; and here they are very fond of gaming and
drinking, especially rum, or palm-wine. Sheep, goats, and pigs, as well
as poultry, are plentiful, but small and lean, compared with those of
colder climates. The sheep in West and Central Africa are clothed with
hair instead of wool, like the goats in Europe.
After dinner I set out on my return to Annamaboe, along the beach,
which was much more fatiguing than my journey from the Amissa through
the woods. In the evening I reached Accra, where I passed the night at
the mission-house, being very kindly entertained by the native teacher
before mentioned, who resides there.
December 2d.--At 10 A.M. I started again by the same route as before
for Annamaboe, which I reached at 5 P.M. There I remained a few days
longer with my friend Mr. Brewe; and when I had determined to return to
Cape Coast, my friend Mr. Cobble kindly furnished me with a canoe, and
thus I reached Cape Coast safely after a fortnight’s absence.
There I received, as before, from Mr. Hutton and all the merchants of
the place, as well as from the officers of the garrison, the greatest
attention and kindness. In fact, they often pressed me to become an
honorary member of their mess, and I trust they will excuse the liberty
I take in mentioning their names, for it is the only mark of gratitude
I can give for such kindness and generosity. The officers then in
garrison belonged to Her Majesty’s First West India regiment, and
were,--Lieutenant Pogson, commanding the fort; Lieutenant Anton; Mr.
Ross, commissary; and Dr. M’Hardy, surgeon.
I here waited for the King of Ashantee’s reply to a letter sent to him
by Governor Hill, as I mentioned above. The reply was despatched in due
time, and was to this effect: that the King would be happy to see me in
Coomassie, and would give me an escort as far as the Kong Mountains.
Having, however, soon afterwards heard of the murder of one of his
subjects, he sent off an express to overtake the Governor’s messenger,
with orders for his return to Coomassie. When he again reached that
place the King’s letter was withdrawn, and another substituted for it,
informing the Governor that though the King would be glad to see me
in Coomassie, he could not allow me to go farther, on account of the
murder which had been committed. One of his own messengers also was
sent down, with a large retinue of attendants, bringing a message to
the same effect. Upon consulting the Governor, he therefore agreed with
me that it would be useless to go to Coomassie, when I was aware that I
could not penetrate farther. Quako, the King’s messenger, was sent for,
and desired by the Governor to tell his master the King, that I should
not trouble him, since I should not be allowed to proceed beyond the
limits of his dominions.
With this message his Majesty was probably much mortified. I must here
add that I was much indebted for the interest Governor Hill took in my
proposed journey, and to his kind treatment of me while I remained at
Cape Coast.
After spending a very pleasant Christmas with my generous and
hospitable friend Mr. Hutton, and passing also the New Year’s day in
true English style, as far as could be done in this country, (the
health of her Majesty and the royal family, with success to the army
and navy, and other loyal toasts, having been drunk with much spirit,)
I set out, on the 2d January, 1845, accompanied by Mr. Hutton, Mr.
Smith, and the Ashantee princes (who happened to be at Cape Coast
to receive their pension from the British Government), on a journey
to a town of some note twenty miles distant from the Cape, lying
in a nearly north-west direction. Our road passed through a coffee
plantation, formerly belonging to the late Mr. Swansea, but now in the
possession of the Missionaries established at Cape Coast. It was in a
much neglected condition, owing to the difficulty in prevailing on the
native labourers to attend to their work.
A native foreman is too commonly the idlest in the gang, and too ready
to encourage those under him to set their employers at defiance. This
remark will perhaps be thought by some philanthropic persons very
uncharitable; but whoever has had any experience of the character of
this people will corroborate my statements. The situation of this
plantation is pretty well chosen, as it is close to a river, and has a
dwelling-house pleasantly situated on a hill of considerable elevation.
In the garden are some very fine orange, lime, and bread-fruit trees,
with other smaller plants, and pine-apples in great abundance. In the
plantation the coffee-trees are very healthy, but nearly choked up with
weeds and grass, which is of very rapid growth in this country. The
pine-apples are of large size. The greater part of this plantation,
however, has been ill chosen.
On the other side of the stream the soil is an excellent black loam,
and would doubtless pay well if properly cultivated. This place is
called Napoleon, wherefore I am at a loss to account. After crossing
the stream at the ford, about ten yards wide, but only one foot deep
in the dry season, and proceeding, still in a north-western direction,
three miles farther, we came to a very neat little kroom, having about
two hundred inhabitants, called Eyau Awkwano. It is distant eight miles
from Cape Coast, and is governed by a very handsome black caboceer,
who, though very good-natured, is, like all other of these chiefs, very
fond of large presents, and very unwilling to make any in return. Here
we halted for breakfast, having the necessary provisions, solid and
liquid, with us.
After resting two hours, we set out again, passing over a very rugged
and narrow path, continually interrupted by stumps of trees, left when
the ground was cleared for cultivation, as the brush-wood is then only
burnt and not rooted up. Such a road was not very pleasant for our
feet, but after marching three miles from the last-named kroom, we
reached a much larger one, containing about one thousand inhabitants,
nearly the whole of whom turned out to have a peep at our cavalcade.
These two krooms are pleasantly situated, and have a soil of the best
quality. The natives are maintained chiefly by the produce of their
lands, such as corn, yams, manioc, or cassada, bananas, and plantains.
Oranges and limes grow spontaneously, as well as pine-apples, which are
gathered and sold at Cape Coast in exchange for English cloth, guns,
rum, or the fish caught and dried there.
Beyond the last village the road becomes still rougher, but is
over-arched by large and beautiful trees, various and singular in
appearance, and adorned by many kinds of creepers. All the large planks
and beams brought to Cape Coast are carried from this neighbourhood on
the heads of slaves, relays of whom are stationed at intervals, each
carrying one large beam or two planks on his head ten or twelve miles.
This is certainly hard work, particularly for girls.
These slaves are only so employed for one month during the whole year,
and perhaps have the remaining eleven months for their own occupations.
Domestic slaves are by no means ill treated. They always have plenty of
food, and clothing is not necessary, nor is it worn, with the exception
of a small piece of cotton cloth tied round the waist. They are always
treated as part of the family. Such a thing as actual want is unknown.
The beams and planks are, for the most part, of the adoomah, a very
large and handsome tree, and excellent timber. It is all sawed by hand
and pit-saws. Saw-mills would be of advantage here. Cotton trees of
immense size grow in the neighbourhood, some forty-eight and fifty
feet in girth. They are only used for canoes, sometimes three and even
four large canoes being hollowed out of one tree. Their wood, however,
is too soft for any other purpose. The name of cotton-tree causes
many people to suppose that it produces the cotton commonly used in
manufactures; such is not the case; the cotton produced by this tree is
contained in oblong pods, about ten or twelve inches long, and round at
each end, like an egg. This pod contains a substance like silk, and is
used only for stuffing pillows or cushions. The pods hang down for some
length, as if suspended from the end of a piece of twine, a foot and a
half long. The dwarf cotton shrub, which produces the material used
in our manufacture, also grows spontaneously in this neighbourhood.
This shrub seldom exceeds five or six feet, and has several spreading
stems. Its flower is beautiful, either red or yellow, and is succeeded
by a round and flattish pod, about one inch diameter, which, when ripe,
bursts, and its seeds are surrounded by cotton, which, when gathered,
is cleared of them. They are black, and in shape much like the stone of
our hips and haws.
After passing over the top of a gently sloping hill, between two
beautiful and well-cultivated valleys (the spot where the Ashantees
fought and were defeated in one of their most determined battles,)
ornamented by beautiful trees, much like the tulip-tree in full
blossom, we reached a small kroom called America, probably so named
by the European settlers. Here we again halted and took a draught of
water. Around this little kroom the land is cultivated, and there are
several very lofty trees, very straight and spiral in form, so that it
is evident how good the soil must be. This place is eighteen miles from
Cape Coast. After resting half an hour, we set out on our last stage,
rather fagged from the roughness of the road, and in half an hour
reached Djewkwa, a pleasant little town, with houses tolerably well
built of mud and very roomy. They are constructed also with a degree of
regularity seldom seen in African towns. Not having sent any messenger
forwards to announce our approach, as is usual in Africa, the caboceer
was unprepared to receive us, and we were, therefore, told to wait a
little, a house having been shown to us in which we might stay till he
could see us. We waited until we lost all patience, and were obliged
to lie down under a large tree in the market-place. Very large ants
tormented us cruelly, both by their teeth and stings.
At length the caboceer announced his readiness to receive us, and we
had to repair to another part of the town where he dwelt. His house is
the best in the town, and in front of it we found him seated in his
chair of state, a rudely constructed wooden chair covered with brass
nails, under a large spreading tree; chairs and stools were placed for
all our party. The great man, however, was so drunk as to be wholly
unfit to go through the ceremony of formally receiving us, and we were
obliged to content ourselves by receiving an apology, as he candidly
confessed his drunkenness and inability to receive us according to the
custom of the country. He then retired, and left us under the care of
his son, who was very willing to make himself agreeable by quaffing
various tumblers of wine and ale, which we had brought, as well as
several glasses of brandy and gin. He, consequently, soon showed
symptoms of intoxication as well as his father, and continued the
palaver till eleven o’clock, when we were allowed to retire to our
lodgings for the night, where we were each provided with a mat, the
only article of furniture considered by this people as necessary.
In the planting season, it appears, the farmers quit their houses in
the town, and go to some distance, to be near the fields; other empty
houses belong to people who go into the interior to seek for gold, and
who are absent for some months.
Being well tired with my journey, I slept soundly, and rose on the
following morning much refreshed. After breakfast we announced to the
caboceer our intention of returning immediately to Cape Coast. The old
man was quite disappointed on finding that we did not intend to stop
for a day or two; but being again drunk, and unable to come and bid us
good-bye, he deputed his principal captain to perform that office; at
the same time making us a present of gold-dust to the value of nine
pounds sterling, with three fat sheep, all of which, except one of
the sheep, we declined accepting, as we well knew much more would be
expected from us in return.
It may be proper to give some account of this chief before I pass on to
another subject. He was one of the King of Ashantee’s head captains,
who in some way offended his master, and would have lost his head, had
he not, with some others, fled to Cape Coast, and put himself under
the protection of the English Government. His companions were either
captured by the Ashantees in the town of Cape Coast, or given up by
the English, and beheaded; but Kudjo Chibbo having been received into
the fort, was saved from the death which awaited him, and afterwards
appointed by the Governor caboceer of Djewkwa, and his son was sent
to school at Cape Coast for some years. He can, however, now scarcely
speak a word of English. His father gets drunk the first thing in the
morning, and remains so during the remainder of the day.
January 3d.--At half-past nine o’clock we set out on our return, and
reached Cape Coast, after sundry halts, at six o’clock in the evening.
January 30th.--An opportunity of visiting all the principal settlements
along the coast as far as Whydah having occurred, I went after a few
hours’ notice on board the _Medora_, a vessel belonging to Mr. T.
Hutton, he being himself embarked also; and on the 1st of February
we reached Winnebah. Going on shore we proceeded directly to the
Mission-house, where we fortunately met the two missionaries, Mr.
Brooking and Mr. Chapman, who had lately returned from Coomassie. They
were now on their way from Accra, and treated us with great kindness.
At their departure on the following morning they left orders that I
should receive every accommodation during my stay at Winnebah.
This place is well situated both for trade and agriculture. The town is
built close to the sea, very near the mouth of a large river running
from the interior and emptying itself into the Atlantic. The buildings
are very irregular, and have mud walls, though very fine freestone
might be got in great abundance close at hand. There is only one stone
house in the place. Its chief article of trade is palm-oil, which
is brought from some distance in the interior. The inhabitants make
a pretty comfortable living by fishing, as the fish is plentiful in
the sea here, the average number caught by each fisherman being five
thousand. This, however, is only the case at certain seasons. The
fish are dried and sent into the interior, where gold dust is given
in exchange. Their method of drying fish is very simple. If the fish
exceeds the size of a small herring, it is split up the back, and the
whole are spread in rows in the sun, and after having been turned twice
during the day, on the second day are completely cured, without the
addition of salt. A great many sharks are also dried, and when large
cut into several pieces. At Winnebah they do not smoke the fish, as is
done in many places.
Nowhere on this coast did I find so great a diversity of character and
manner as in this place. Natives from two-thirds of all Africa are to
be seen here. Any person acquainted with the features of the different
African tribes might easily distinguish them. No doubt they have been
brought from various parts of the interior as slaves. The men are
generally tall and athletic; the women much handsomer than those at
Cape Coast. They seem good-tempered, lively, and fond of dress, as all
their countrymen are.
Pigs, oxen, sheep, goats, fowls, ducks, and turkeys, are fine and
plentiful for the space of ten miles square.
Immediately behind the town, the country is a beautiful level, studded
here and there with clumps of trees, and the soil is rich and black.
Ten miles off is a chain of mountains. The western point terminates in
what is called the Devil’s Hill, about four hundred feet high, bearing
from the town of Winnebah N.W. by W. The whole surrounding country
looks beautiful, and much resembles a fine large park in England. The
lower or western part of this plain is flooded in the rainy season.
On examining the vegetation and soil in the bed of this occasional
lake, I found the borders covered with a small plant, called by the
natives yanwin, which grows near all salt lakes on this coast. This
plant is used by them as a medicine. It is also common in both England
and Scotland among the rocks on the sea-coast, and much prized as a
salad or pickle: in England it is named samphire. The growth of this
plant here shows that in the rainy season, when the river is much
swollen, the sea rises considerably higher, and makes the water of the
river and this lake salt, as I have never found this plant itself very
salt to the taste near fresh water.
The river Jensu, which falls into the Atlantic about three quarters of
a mile to the east of Winnebah, is said by the natives to be navigable
upwards of two hundred miles; but I only ascended it about six or
seven miles. It is very shallow at its mouth during the ebb of the
tide, owing to the bar invariably formed at the mouth of all rivers
on this part of the African coast by the tremendous surf which always
prevails. About half a mile above its mouth the river deepens; its
banks are abrupt, and about five feet above the surface of the water.
In the dry season the current is very sluggish, not exceeding a mile
and a half an hour. For two miles from the sea trees and large shrubs
adorn both banks, full of various birds of beautiful plumage. Amongst
these I could distinguish two species of king-fishers, one as large
as a thrush, and the other not larger than a tom-tit; the smaller
much darker in colour than the other. Alligators are very large and
numerous; and I observed the sea flowed at a considerable height up the
river as far as I ascended.