Canamina, its Population--Adawie--Preparations for entering the
Capital--Abomey--My hospitable Reception--Visit from Mayho, the Prime
Minister--Message from the King--The Palace--The Market-place--Dead
Bodies of Criminals hung up--My Reception by his Majesty--Ceremony on
Introduction--Conversation with the King--Perform the Sword Exercise
before him--His Approbation--Troops of Female Soldiers--The King’s
Person--Ceremony of the Introduction of Military Officers--Dress of
the Female Soldiers--Introduced to the King’s Chiefs--Visits--The
King’s Staff--Review of Native Troops--Feigned Attack on a Town--The
King’s Soldier-wives--Ashantee Prince--His Majesty’s Opinion of
England and the English--The vain Boasting of the Ashantee Prince
silenced by the King--Principal Officers--The Dahoman Women formidable
Soldiers.
At four miles and a half from Togbado, reached Canamina, a large
town, scattered over a vast area of ground, the land level and well
cultivated, resembling our fields in England. The country is open to
a considerable distance. This town contains at least ten thousand
inhabitants. The King has here also a house for the accommodation of
white people, although they so seldom visit this place. Ever since
Mr. Freeman’s visit, the King has been very anxious to encourage
intercourse with English people. At this place we remained for the
night, and were well accommodated.
Early on the following morning, June 10th, the pretended governor of
the English fort at Whydah, a deceitful old scoundrel, who created
himself governor of the fort under the pretence of taking care of
it, though, as I had before stated, he has let all go to ruin except
the part he himself occupies, met me at Canamina, for the purpose of
introducing me to the town of Abomey. After breakfast I cleaned my
regimentals, and my white servant got my horse and trappings; ready and
the day being fine, I formed a very decent turn out, my regimentals
being good, the same as then worn in my old regiment, the First Life
Guards. I was amused at the vanity of the old governor, who showed a
great anxiety to precede me, with a view of making it appear to the
people that he was my superior, and that I was merely his escort. He
himself was carried in an old ragged hammock by four negroes, and was
dressed in an old worn-out gambroon coat of English pattern. This piece
of vanity I suffered him to indulge in till we arrived at Adawie,
three miles and a half from Canamina, and with the same bearing as
the previous day. I then ordered him to fall in my rear, which order
he pretended not to understand. I galloped up to his hammock and
stopped him. This seemed to mortify him very much, particularly as he
had always informed the people of this place that he was one of the
greatest men of Whydah, and had been appointed by the Queen of England
as governor over all white men.
We arrived at Abomey at three minutes past one o’clock, amidst crowds
of spectators, and were guided to an excellent house prepared for me
by Mayho,[15] the King’s prime minister, an excellent old man, and
very different to the generality of uncivilized Africans, not having
that covetous and selfish disposition usual with them. He was always
anxious to furnish me with every necessary which he had heard a white
man required or used. After welcoming me and my people, his first
inquiries were for Mr. Freeman, and why he was so long before he again
visited him? He then desired to drink my health and a welcome to Abomey
from a liquor-case which he had already sent to my house. As he was
busily employed with the King in making preparations for my formal
reception on the following morning, Mayho soon retired, leaving me to
get my house in order. After a short interval plenty of provisions for
more than forty persons were sent me from the King’s house. We were
now comfortably accommodated; and I was much pleased with the kind
reception I had met with.
My house or houses contained accommodation for three large families,
with two kitchens and large yard, the whole completely walled in.
In front of my door was a very fine large orange-tree covered with
fruit, and a large bench or seat under it entirely shaded from the
sun. In the evening Mayho again called on me and delivered the King’s
compliments, informing me that his Majesty was very happy to hear of an
Englishman’s arrival in his town, and hoped that many more would visit
his capital, assuring me that nothing on his part should be wanting to
make every one comfortable. He desired Mayho also to inform me that his
Majesty would be happy to receive me formally at an early hour on the
following morning. This was gratifying news, as a visitor generally
waits many days before he condescends to see them. During all this
palaver the whole of the attendants were on their knees, Mayho himself
not excepted, this being their mode of procedure when delivering or
receiving a message from the King, besides kissing the ground and
covering their heads with dust.
On the following morning at an early hour another bountiful supply of
provisions arrived, and after an early breakfast I was fully equipped,
and rode, attended by some of the King’s principal men, to the
market-place or parade-ground in front of his palace or house. On our
march to the market-place we passed along part of the walls of the
palace, which covers an immense space. The walls as well as houses are
made of red sandy clay, and on top of the walls, at intervals of thirty
feet, human skulls were placed along their whole extent. On approaching
nearer the market-place we beheld, on an elevated pole, a man fixed in
an upright position, with a basket on his head, apparently holding it
with both his hands. A little farther on we saw two more men, now in
a state of decomposition, hung by the feet from a thick pole, placed
horizontally on two upright poles about twenty feet high. Passing close
to them the smell was intolerable. The arms hung extended downwards,
and at a little distance a stranger would (from their shrivelled and
contracted condition) suppose them to be large sheep or goats; the skin
from exposure had turned nearly to the colour of that of a white man.
I found upon inquiry the bodies had been in this position about two
and a half moons. All reckoning here is by the moon. The vulture was
industriously endeavouring to satisfy his appetite, but the heat of the
sun had dried the skin so as to render it impenetrable to his efforts.
On the opposite side of the market were two more human bodies in
the same position as those I have just mentioned with the exception
that the bodies had been mutilated. This excited my curiosity, for
decapitation is the favourite mode of execution in Abomey. I was
informed that these men had been guilty of adulterous intercourse with
one of the King’s wives, in consequence of which, they were sentenced
to be put to death by being beaten with clubs, and after death
mutilated. The King had not yet arrived at the appointed place, where
a high stool and footstool were placed for him under a huge umbrella,
surrounded by about twenty more of nearly the same dimensions, forming
a crescent--his own being in the centre. He had requested, through
Mayho, that I would salute him as I would the Queen of England, for he
was anxious to become acquainted with European manners and customs.
Accordingly, upon a nearer approach I saluted his Majesty according to
military regulation, with which he seemed much pleased, and returned
the compliment in a much more graceful manner than I expected. He
then requested me to dismount and come to him. Upon which, his prime
minister and four others next in rank, who were conducting me to his
Majesty’s presence, desired me to halt till they paid their compliment
to his Majesty, forming line in front of me. They completely
prostrated themselves at full length, rubbing both sides of their
faces on the ground, and kissing it. They then raised themselves on
their knees, where they remained till they had completely covered
themselves with dust, and rubbed their arms over with dirt as high as
the shoulders.
I was much surprised as well as disgusted with such absurd, abject
humiliation. Their robes, which a few minutes before looked clean
and, respectable, were now, as well as their persons, smeared with
dirt. Myself and the Governor of Whydah fort were the only persons
who did not observe the same degrading form. Even the soldiers, male
and female, although under arms, observe the same humiliation. After
this ceremony we stepped forward to the King, and he descended from
his stool or throne, and shook me cordially by the hand, declaring his
great satisfaction at having an Englishman in his country. He then
proposed to drink my health. A table having already been prepared for
me, a liquor-case was placed thereon, containing numerous different
sorts of flasks and decanters, with as many sorts of liquors, namely,
Hollands, rum, brandy, aniseed, claret, cherry brandy, and other
cordials. He then asked me whether it was not customary to drink the
health of my sovereign first. I told him that every good Englishman
always observed such courtesy, but as I was his visitor I was sure the
Queen of England would readily sanction my drinking his own first. This
was done in cherry brandy, of excellent quality; then the Queen and all
her family, and afterwards my own health was drunk.
During the time the King is drinking, his face is always concealed from
observation by a number of handkerchiefs, held up round his head. At
this moment a firing of muskets and beating of gong-gongs and hurrahing
takes place. After asking me a few questions respecting the royal
family of England, his Majesty requested my horse to be brought nearer,
so that he might see it and also examine the appointments, with which
he seemed much satisfied, particularly upon being shown the holsters
and pistols, which were covered with bear-skin. He was also much
pleased with the manner of fixing the carbine on the saddle. He then
declared that white men knew everything.
He next desired me to ride, that he might see the exercise, at the same
time ordering two of his principal men to walk by my side and hold me
on. This I did not properly understand at first, not knowing their
language, but after retiring a sufficient distance from his Majesty,
clear of the soldiery, I formed a circle to the right. My two holders
signified that I must not form circle to the right, the King alone
possessing that privilege; whereupon I countermarched, and began a
sharp trot, urging my two holders to keep out of my way, but all was of
no avail. I then halted, and desired my interpreter to tell the King
that Englishmen never required holding on their horse. Upon which he
seemed surprised, and told me to do as I thought proper, but begged me
rather not to ride for his gratification than run any risk. I again
assured him that there was no danger, and put my horse in motion, first
at a trot and then a gallop.
The King then stood up, clapping his hands In approbation. Upon
which the whole assembled multitude followed the example, which much
terrified my horse. After a few more circles performed, the King
desired me to dismount and come beside him and sit down, thanking me
for my performance. Upon our close approach, his ministers went again
through the same ceremony I have already described, and afterwards I
was ushered to a seat close to the King, who paid me great attention,
and showed every anxiety to give me information and explain everything
to me.
It may be well, before proceeding farther, to state that all his
attendants and soldiers on guard near his person sit down cross-legged,
the soldiers with the butt-end of the musket resting on the ground
between their legs, in a perpendicular position. During this time troop
after troop of female soldiers arrived, preceded by a band of very
barbarous music, similar to sheep-bells and drums, made from part of
the trunk of a hollow tree, with some bullock or sheep-skin covered
over the top of it.
The King is a tall athletic man, about forty-three years of age, with
pleasing expression and good features, but the top of his forehead
falling back rather too much to meet the views of a phrenologist. His
voice is good and manner graceful, in comparison with the barbarous
customs of the country.
In all directions troops of female soldiers were now arriving and
taking their stations at a distance, lying down or squatted, until they
are called upon to come before his Majesty. No particular discipline
is observed. The regiments severally form up in an irregular column,
and the principal, or commanding officer, calls out the officers, who
kneel on both knees and cover their heads and bodies with dust. The
commander then introduces one after the other each officer of this
female regiment; and if any one has in any way distinguished herself,
it is commented upon, and the party complimented and rewarded for her
valour. This regiment belonged to the King’s son, in the government of
a country bearing an ensign or flag, ornamented with the figure of a
lion.
After all the ceremony of compliments and boasting of valour is gone
through, the officers fall in, and the whole regiment sing a song
in compliment to the King. After that any individual who chooses
is allowed to step to the front, and declare her fidelity to his
Majesty, and as soon as one retires another takes her place, so that
the ceremony becomes irksome. Sometimes the ceremony of one regiment
passing occupies three hours. After all is over the whole of the
regiment kneel down, with the butt of their muskets on the ground and
the barrel slanting back over the shoulder, and with both hands scrape
up the dust and cover themselves with it. The dust being of a light
red colour, gives them a very singular appearance. Many have their
heads entirely shaved, except a tuft resembling a cockade; others only
shave a breadth of two inches from the forehead to the poll. After this
ceremony they all rise up from the stooping position, still on their
knees, but body otherwise erect, and poising their muskets horizontally
on their two hands, all join in a general hurrah. Suddenly then they
rise up, throwing the musket sharply into one hand, holding it high
in the air, at the same time giving another hurrah. The whole then
shoulder muskets, and run off at full speed. Each individual runs as
fast as she is able, so that it is a race with the whole regiment of
six hundred women. It would surprise a European to see the speed of
these women, although they carry a long Danish musket and short sword
each, as well as a sort of club.
It may be well to give some account of the dress and equipments of
these amazons. They wear a blue and white striped cotton surtout, the
stripes about one and a half inch wide, of stout native manufacture,
_without sleeves_, leaving freedom for the arms. The skirt or tunic
reaches as low as the kilt of the Highlanders. A pair of short
trowsers is worn underneath, reaching two inches below the knee. The
cartouche-box, or _agbwadya_, forms a girdle, and keeps all their
dress snug and close. The cartouche-box contains twenty cartridges,
about four times the quantity of that used in England, owing to the
inferiority of the powder. It is very conveniently placed, being
girded round the loins. The powder and ball, however, is not attached;
the powder being in a small leather cup, fitted inside of another,
and taken out and emptied into the gun, without any wadding of any
description. It consequently loses much of its power, the ball or slugs
being thrown in loosely, and fired off more by chance than judgment.
However, upon the whole, these women certainly make a very imposing
appearance, and are very active. From their constant exercise of body
(for the women in all cases do the principal part of both domestic and
agricultural labours here as well as at other places,) they are capable
of enduring much fatigue.
[Illustration: DAHOMAN WEAPONS.
⁂ _For a description of these Weapons, the reader is referred to the
List of Illustrations at the commencement of this Volume._]
Next came the King’s second son’s female soldiers, from a part
called Kakagee’s country, in consequence of having the government of
that country. These soldiers, about six hundred, went through the
same ceremony as the others. His Majesty always anxiously explained
every thing to me, and sent to the palace for paper for me to make
notes upon. During the day about six thousand women-soldiers passed
successively before the King, who frequently introduced the principal
officers of this corps to me, relating their achievements. This seemed
to give them great satisfaction. Amongst them, he introduced me to one
of his principal wives, a stout, noble-looking woman, of a light brown
complexion. She commanded the whole of the King’s wives, who are all
soldiers, amounting to six hundred, present on this occasion. The King
introduced her to me as my mother. I was for some time at a loss to
comprehend the meaning of this, but soon found that his Majesty had
appointed this favourite wife to furnish all English or white men with
provisions during their sojourn in this country.
The term mother is, in many cases, misapplied in Abomey; for instance,
if a man has a wife, or a number of them, they are called mothers,
no one being allowed to call them wives but the King. My inquiries
relative to the meaning of this were often erroneously answered, till
I observed an old man, whose name was given me, and soon after a young
woman was pointed out to me as his mother, though the woman was at
least twenty-five years younger than her supposed son. Owing to this,
I was very incredulous, telling my informant that he must be mistaken.
It may appear singular in a civilized part of the world, to learn that
no distinction is made in the term _mother_ between the wife and real
mother. After introducing me to a number of his chiefs or captains,
some of whom are very fine well-built men, the King informed me that I
had better go home, as it was now getting dusk. After drinking again
with his Majesty, I retired to my house, where I was visited by many of
the principal people of Dahomey, and also received the canes of a great
many Spaniards and Portuguese (as they call themselves), liberated
slaves from Whydah, and who were here attending the custom, or holiday.
In this country it is customary, when a servant or messenger is sent
to inquire after the health of any person of rank, to send your cane
or stick, which the messenger delivers into the hands of the person
addressed. When the King sends his messenger in the morning to make
his compliments and inquire after my health, both my people and the
messenger-attendants prostrate themselves and kiss the ground to the
King’s cane.
Next morning, June 12th, as early as seven o’clock, I was again
summoned to attend the review. On approaching his Majesty, the same
ceremony was observed as on my introduction yesterday. He again asked
me to ride, and told me he should like the principal officers in
command of the male soldiers to be present at this day’s review to see
me. Accordingly, some of the principal ministers came with me to show
me where to stand, to allow the passing soldiery to have a full view of
the King’s visitor, or King’s stranger, as they called me. The soldiers
were now fast arriving from all quarters; each regiment preceded by
its band, whose instruments produced the most discordant sounds that
can be imagined--drums, elephants’ teeth, bullocks’ horns, and a sort
of triangular iron tube, which they beat with a small stick, and which
gave forth sounds like a sheep-bell.
The commander rides in the centre of his regiment, if provided with
a horse (which is not stronger than a Shetland pony), with two men
holding him on. Others who have no horses are carried in hammocks.
After about four thousand men had passed me, marching without any
discipline or form, I returned to the King’s canopy to await the
commencement of the review. In a short time the female soldiers made
their appearance in full marching order, with provisions, amounting to
about seventeen hundred. This corps was preceded by its band. The drum
is carried on the head, one end to the front and the other to the rear;
the person beating it walks behind the carrier. The drum belonging to
the corps was ornamented with twelve human skulls. The women carrying
provisions march in the rear, each of them having a certain portion
of baggage; some carry mats for the female officers to lie upon, and
one woman carries a large umbrella for the commanding officer. Those
carrying provisions have large calabashes on their heads, weighing
about sixty pounds each, containing different sorts of provisions,
such as fowls cooked in palm-oil, kankie, dab-a-dab, made of the same
material as kankie, but boiled instead of baked. This is the principal
food used here for general consumption, as well as on the march.
Seven standards are also carried with this regiment, the tops of which
are ornamented with human skulls. This regiment belongs to Megah, the
King’s principal jailor.
About two hundred marched past as I have described, followed in
succession by the King’s women, to-day amounting to six hundred, all
from the King’s palace. These were headed by Dagbyweka. The drum was
also ornamented by twelve skulls of traitors, or men caught in arms
against the King. This corps observed certain regulations on the march
not customary with the others: nine women and an officer marched in
front as an advance guard, at a short interval fifty supporters, then
followed the main body. One individual officer is always appointed to
lead the attack, who is distinguished by a sword of different pattern.
An attack is, if possible, always made in the night, or very early in
the morning.
Next followed the female soldiers from Apadomey, commanded by Knawie
(or white man’s mother). Next, Icandee people, a country distant one
day’s journey to the W.N.W. of Abomey.
After this procession, which consisted altogether of about eight
thousand women, well armed and clothed, had passed, the King asked
me to go and see what his women-soldiers were about to perform. I
was accordingly conducted to a large space of broken ground, where
fourteen days had been occupied in erecting three immense prickly piles
of green bush. These three clumps, or piles, of a sort of strong briar
or thorn, armed with the most dangerous prickles, were placed in line,
occupying about four hundred yards, leaving only a narrow passage
between them, sufficient merely to distinguish each clump appointed to
each regiment. These piles were about seventy feet wide and eight feet
high. Upon examining them, I could not persuade myself that any human
being, without boots or shoes, would, under any circumstances, attempt
to pass over so dangerous a collection of the most efficiently armed
plants I had ever seen. Behind these piles already mentioned, were
yards, or large pens, at the distance of three hundred yards, fenced
with piles seven feet high, thickly matted together with strong reeds.
Enclosed therein were several hundred slaves belonging to the King.
It may be well to state that this affair was entirely got up to
illustrate an attack upon a town and the capture of prisoners, who
are of course made slaves. After waiting a short time, the Apadomey
soldiers made their appearance at about two hundred yards from or in
front of the first pile, where they halted with shouldered arms. In a
few seconds the word for attack was given, and a rush was made towards
the pile with a speed beyond conception, and in less than one minute
the whole body had passed over this immense pile, and had taken the
supposed town. Each of the other piles was passed with equal rapidity
at intervals of twenty minutes; after which we again returned to our
former station in the market-place. Here we found his Majesty waiting
for us. He anxiously inquired how I was pleased with the performance
of his female soldiers, and asked if I thought the same number of
Englishwomen would perform the same. I, of course, answered, _no_:
we had no female soldiers in England, but we had females who had
individually and voluntarily equally distinguished themselves.
In a short time after our return, the Apadomey regiment passed, on
their return, in single file--each leading in a string a young male
or female slave, carrying also the dried scalp of one man supposed to
have been killed in the attack. On all such occasions, when a person is
killed in battle, the skin is taken from the head, and kept as a trophy
of valour.[16] I counted seven hundred scalps pass in this manner.
The captains of each corps, in passing, again presented themselves
before his Majesty, and received the King’s approval of their conduct.
After all had passed, each regiment again formed in column before the
King, and each officer was presented to me, and their deeds of valour
recorded, for which they were promoted. No promotion takes place
unless merited on account of some act of distinguished merit. When the
King’s household troop or regiment formed up, his Majesty asked me if
I observed the form of an animal worn on the white cotton skull-cap of
this corps. I replied in the affirmative. This animal, he informed me,
was killed by some of his women when in the bush during the last war, a
few months ago; and he had ordered the figure to be worn on the cap as
a badge of distinction.
One officer of this corps of King’s soldier-wives was introduced to
me. Her name was Adadimo. This female had, during the two last years’
war, taken, successively, each year a male prisoner, for which she
was promoted, and his Majesty had also presented her with two female
slaves. Adadimo is a tall thin woman, about twenty-two years of age,
and good-looking for a black, and mild and unassuming in appearance.
The King also introduced her to an Ashantee prince and some attendants,
who were here on a visit, of which I was not before aware. No doubt
the King of Ashantee had sent them as spies to ascertain whether I
really did pass through Dahomey to the Kong Mountains or not, as it
will be recollected that, upon the King of Ashantee refusing to allow
me to pass, the Governor of Cape Coast (Captain Hill) told the King’s
messenger that I should pass to the mountains in spite of him (the King
of Ashantee). After presenting Adadimo to the Ashantees, he addressed
her and the regiment to the following effect, the regiment being now
on their knees:--He told them that I was one of the Queen of England’s
soldiers, sent on a friendly mission or visit, to collect information
respecting his kingdom; and he himself felt proud and much gratified to
be able to inform them all of the circumstance, more especially as he
could assure them that the Queen of England was the greatest and most
powerful sovereign in the world, and far surpassed all countries in
war, as well as in the manufacture of guns and cloth, the two British
articles best known in the country. He repeated that the highest
possible compliment was paid to Adadimo, by her being introduced to
me, and having her name registered in my book. During this speech
she remained on her knees, and returned me repeated thanks. The same
example was followed by the whole regiment.
Next came a regiment belonging to a country called Ginoa, commanded
by a female of the same name. This regiment consisted only of three
hundred women. This corps make no prisoners, but kill all. After
all this ceremony was over, the principal male officers prostrated
themselves, and went through the regular form of harangue, as if this
review had been actual service. They informed his Majesty that they
were happy to congratulate him upon the return of his victorious army
and capture of a great number of slaves.
His Majesty, then turning to me, addressed me in a loud voice to the
following effect: “You come from the greatest and richest country in
the world, and I am truly gratified at seeing you in my country. The
only thing I regret is that so few Englishmen come to see me. I should
at all times feel proud to do any thing in my power to accommodate an
Englishman, and endeavour to make him comfortable in my country. I am
aware,” he added, “that I have not in my power all the necessaries
required by Englishmen, but if I were more frequently visited by them I
would take care to procure everything necessary for their comfort. You
have travelled much in Africa,[17] and from what you have seen you are
now aware that I am as far superior in Africa, as England is to Spain
or Portugal, not,” he said, “excepting the Ashantees, some of whom he
observed were present, and could judge for themselves: although in
former times,” he remarked, “the Ashantees surpassed him as far as he
now surpassed them.”
I do not know how the Ashantee relished this observation, but I suppose
not well, as he is a conceited fop, and upon the whole a sharp, shrewd
young man. I put some questions to him respecting his country, but his
answers were both evasive and untrue, thinking no doubt that I was
quite ignorant on the subject. He informed me that Coomassie was four
moons’ journey from Dahomey; and also in order to make his country look
great, told me and the King that there were no less than one hundred
English merchants in Coomassie buying gold when he came away. Upon
which I flatly contradicted him, and told him that only one white man
resided in Ashantee, Mr. Chapman, a missionary, who had lately been
ill-treated by a set of ruffians. This mortified him very much; and
he remarked to the King that white men only came to Ashantee for what
they could get, and boasted of the great presents his father had made
to Mr. Freeman; but I informed his Majesty that the King received
ten times more from Mr. Freeman than he ever received or expected in
return; that Englishmen never expected any return for a present. The
Ashantee persisted in what he had stated, and declared that any present
received by the King of Ashantee was made merely through fear. Upon
this the King, in an angry tone, ordered him to be silent. He was aware
that England feared no nation, and he would not suffer an Englishman to
be insulted in his country.[18] This terminated my conversation with
the Ashantee on that day.
It will, doubtless, seem singular, that the male soldiers are not
mentioned as taking any part in the two days’ review, but they remained
inactive the whole time, except when eating. At this part of the
ceremony they played their part, being amply supplied with provisions.
In fact, every one present, on both days, although so numerous, was
supplied with plenty. No person, however, except myself, was furnished
with a table, not even the Spaniards nor Portuguese, although many
visitors of both nations, who were present at the custom, still
remained here, knowing that I was expected. The Ashantee prince
objected to drink out of a calabash, seeing that I was supplied with
tumblers, but he was told by one of the King’s headmen that he was only
a black man, and that if he did not choose to drink from the calabash
he might go without. He preferred the former, and drank out of what he
had used all his life--the calabash. The male soldiers were seated on
the ground without any regularity, forming a crescent in the rear of
his Majesty.
Before breaking up, the King assembled all his principal officers,
and introduced them to me, describing their rank and office. Amongst
them were some of his cousins--Hadabadja, Agerbee, and Gadypapo, three
captains of the male troops, remarkably fine men, with good craniums
and heads much of the Moorish cast, although darker--not so dark,
however, as the genuine negro character. Egboza is commander-in-chief
of all the King’s army, and son of Kakagee, the principal of the
King’s house, being both treasurer and chamberlain. After many more
introductions to inferior officers the principal officers were desired
to drink the Queen of England’s health. This was to be drunk out
of a human skull, apparently not long before it had been useful to
the original possessor. However, as this was considered the highest
compliment that can be paid to any person, I drank my sovereign’s
health from the bony goblet. The King also joined. I then proposed his
Majesty’s health, which was drunk from the same vessel. This concluded
the second day’s performance.
I may be permitted to make a few remarks on the army of women. It is
certainly a surprising sight in an uncivilized country. I had, it is
true, often heard of the King’s female soldiers, but now I have seen
them, all well armed, and generally fine strong healthy women, and
doubtless capable of enduring great fatigue. They seem to use the long
Danish musket with as much ease as one of our grenadiers does his
firelock, but not, of course, with the same quickness, as they are not
trained to any particular exercise, but, on receiving the word, make
an attack like a pack of hounds, with great swiftness. Of course they
would be useless against disciplined troops, if at all approaching
to the same numbers. Still their appearance is more martial than the
generality of the men; and if undertaking a campaign, I should prefer
the females to the male soldiers of this country. From all I have seen
of Africa, I believe the King of Dahomey possesses an army superior to
any sovereign west of the Great Desert.
FOOTNOTES:
[15] The higher officers of the household are allowed to adopt their
official title as their family name, Mayho being in the Dahoman
language Prime Minister.
[16] It must not be supposed that these female warriors kill according
to the number of scalps presented; the scalps are the accumulation of
many years. If six or seven men are killed during one year’s war, it is
deemed a great thing: one party always run away in these slave-hunts;
but when armies meet the slaughter is great.
[17] It is a surprising fact, that my last visit to Africa, in the
Niger expedition, was well known to him, though by what means I cannot
tell, unless through the Ashantees, as we brought the Ashantee princes
to Africa.
[18] The King told the Ashantee to take back his father’s present, a
gold-hilted sword, and tell him that all the gold in Ashantee would not
induce him to intercept an Englishman.