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
lS49 and 1880. 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 SlaCe-hunting Ma
tion.-Dahomey extends from the banks of the
Niger to those of the Volta and from the coast
to the Ronk 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 80, 600
are free. The regular army consists of IL 900
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-rivalling, 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 leyies about $4,000 soldiers and
about as many camp followers, and thus he
moves on his desolating expeditions with nearly
fourth part of his people. At certain of the
annual customs, it is usual for the soldiers, both
male and female, in thtfr songs and addresses,
to demand that some ncighboring town or ma
ton be given>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 festa days, and
from rewards granted for captvcs, and for
| heads taken in war. They have thus q 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 makes a custom
to the memory of his father, which generally
| lasts month"; I'm November or December. the
army, headed by the hing sets out upon the
annual slave hunt. 1t marches steathily, and
pounces ON the devoted city; and should the at
| tack be successful it massacres ruthlcssly the
| old and the weak, and carries off those only
that are fit for the slave market The whole
| district il reduced TO desolatiOn The army re-
turns home in barbarous triumph; and the
| other months OF the year are spent in teasting
| and in the celebration of the national customs
During these the people are kept ain fever
OF excitement dancing, singing, haranguing
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.
Sdrdge BardS-Mr Forbes thus describes
the scene when various bards of both sexes ex-
hibited 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 Il couch recined the King.
Behind him, and ON each side sat his wives and
female soldiers in all 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 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 n place was set apart
for the English visitors For their accommo-
dation, a table. having silver liquor-stand
with glasses and chairs were provided Mr.
Forbes then says:
"A strict silence reigned, savewhen broken, at
short intervals, by the voice of herald pro-
claiming aloud the conquests of the Kings OF
| Dahomcy. 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 n time, sang in metrical short verse, the
praises of the monarch, his exploits in war, his
numerous conquests the glorious achievements
of his ancestors. aGezo," sang the trouba-
dours was the choice of the nation the lib
cral the frcc-handcd who 80 generous AS he
who so brave! Behold him, the king of kings
At this stage of the proceedings the following
horrible occurrence took place with much
ceremony, two large calabashcs 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
walking.sticks, distaffs while those of chiefs
and war-men, ornamented drums umbrellas
surrounded 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 Maesty's court for Tomorrow 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 GEO has born us again; we are his
wives his daughters, his soldiers his sandals
War is our pastime; it clothes it feeds it is all
| To usr
Human Sacrifices next days ceremo-
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.