The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-10-30
From the Central Christian Herald.
DAHOMEY AND IT'S CUSTOMS.

Mr. Forbes OF the British service has pub
lished journals Of two visits to the King of Da-
honey and residence at his capital, in the years
IS49 and 1856. From an account of this work
in the Missionary Record are derived the fol-
lowing particulars Of this savage people. 1t
will be remembered that it was they who made
war in Abbekuta as noticed in the last journal:
Ddhomey a Military and Sare-hunting Ma
tion.-Dahomey extends from the banks of the
Niger to those Of the Volta and from the coast
to the konk mountains; its seaport is Whydah.
1t is the principal support of the slave trade
north Of the line; and could the King be per-
suaded to give up this Infamous traffic, it would
cease along nearly the whole northern coast of
Africa. The population of Dahomey does not
exceed 100000, of which not more than 10000
are free. The regular army consists of 10000,
and OF these 5000 are amazons, or women SOL
diers, trained to warlike exercises fully armed,
forming the main strength of the army. and
out-rivallng in courage and deeds of blood the
male troops The whole population is at the
disposal Of the King and is just in fact, an
armed association, whose sole object is to hunt
for slaves, and whose time is occupied by war
like expeditions and festivals When the King
goes to war, he levies about "a 900 soldiers and
about as many camp followers, and thus he
moves on his desolating expeditions with nearly
a fourth part of his people. At certain of the
male and femsle in tpgSr songs and addresses
to demand that some nefghborng town or ma
ton be gven'up to them. When this demand
has been made for three successive years it is
generally granted, and the ruin of that people
becomes the object OF the annual slave hunt
The soldiers have no regular pay, Their sup
port is derived from presents which the King
throws to them ON one of the festal days and
from rewards granted for captives, and for
heads taken in war. They have thus pc
cuniary incentive in these bloody expeditions
| The months of August and September are occu-
| pied in serving out ammunition, and in prepar-
| ing for war. The King then snakes a custom
| to the memory of his father, which generally
lasts q month" In November OF December the
army, headed by the King, sets out upon the
annual slave hunt 1t marches stealthly and
pounces on the devoted city and should the at
tack be successful, it massacres ruthicssly the
| old and the weak and carries off those only
| that are fit for the slave market The whole
district il reduced to desoation' The army re-
turns home in barbarous triumph; and the
other months of the year are spent in feasting
| and in the celebration Of the national customs
During these, the people are kept in fever
Of excitement dancing singing, harangung
and cutting of heads The country though
fertile, is but thinly inhabited Industry and
! agriculture are not encouraged, as such pur-
suits would interfere with slave hunting; and
all around them are ruin and devastation. The
mad passion for war and blood absorbs every
feeling and this passion, fed by their national
customs makes them band of brutal execu-
TONERS.
| Sdrage BardS.-NIr Forbes thus describes
the scene when various bards of both sexes cx-
hbited before the King and his court
The place of exhibition was an extensive
square. On one side, under rich canopy of
umbrellas of every color and ornamented with
strange devices on couch reclned the King
Behind him, and on each side, sat his wives and
female soldiers in ell about three thousand all
well dressed. The amazons in uniform, armed
and accoutred, squatted on their hams the long
Danish muskets ON end with the stocks ON the
ground. Opposite the King and in front were
the chief ministers wallowing according to
custom, on the ground and throwing dust upon
their heads and behind them a large crowd
Of officers and soldiers, all on their hams. Near
the neutral ground, between the female and
male portions of the audience, which no male
but the King can pass place was set apart
for the English visitefs For their accommo-
dation a table. having silver Gquor-stand,
with glasses and chairs were provided. Mr..
Forbes then says:
"A strict silence reigned, save when broken, at
short intervals, by the voice of a herald pro-
claiming aloud the conquests of the Kings OF
Dahomey. The scene was novel, and the dresses
from COLOR magnificent in appearance. We
were no sooner seated, than two troubadours
advanced and introduced themselves; then, one
at a time, sang in metrical short verse, the
praises of the monarch, his exploits in war, his
numerous conquests the glorious achievements
of his ancestors "Gezo," sang the trouba-
dOurs, was the choice of the nation the lib
eral! the free-haudcd who 80 generous as he -!
who 80 brave! Behold him, the king of kings
AT this stage Of the proceedings the following
horrible occurrence took place with much
ceremony two large calabashes containing the
skulls of kings ornamented with copper, brass,
corals, &c, were brought in and placed ON the
neutral ground Some formed the heads OF
walkng-st distafs; while those of chiefs
and war-men, ornamentcd drums umbrellas,
surmounted standards and decorated doorways.
They were on all sides in thousands; these cal
abashes were placed on newly raised heap of
earth, which we were now told covered the Body
of victim, sacrificed last night, to be placed
under the pole of the pavilion, to be raised for
his Majesty's court for to-morrow's CUSTOM
Two female bards then stepped forward, and
sang the praises "of him who" they said, gave
them birth We were women-we are now
men. Gezo has born ms again; we are his
wives, his daughters his soldiers his sandals
War is our pastime; it clothes it feeds, it is all
to u.s.
Human Saerifees-The next days cercmo-
MES closed with throwing human victims to
the soldiers 1t is fearful illustration of the
depths of cruelty and degradation to which
man may sink