The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-09-05
An Artist among the Amazcns of
Africa.

An EnGlishnIaD, Mr.. J. ~. SkClCnlY, mas
lust returned from Dahomev. on the west
coast Of Africa. For six months he was the
guest of the King, by whom he was very
hospitality treated. He is the only white
man thut has been admitted into the private
apartments of The King. There is no town
Of Dahomey. The capital is mere " one of
the royal palaces. with official residences for
the high officers and the servants; while
the Anazuns reside within the palace III
long, barn.like buildings immediately out,
side and surrounding the Kings private
apartments. at each Of his nine palaces are
four thousand Of these Amazons.
Before Mr.. Skelchly was admitted to the
palace he went through ceremonials lasting
three days, during Which he was created a
Prince of the royal blood, duke, and Il
general of the army, but not Of the Anna
IONS. He was then permitted to see the
various customs. He was an eyewitness to
the grand annual ceremonial, when the prlll-
cip1l human sacrifices Like place.
For the sacrifice called the Dlen-hoo-"ho
The King reclnes on wicker-work lounge
in his palace. He wears only blue cotton
robe, as he considers his dignity 50 great
that he can afford 10 dress in ordinary cloth
ing. Neither the King nor the members OF
Above the Kings head an umbrella is en-
tended. and this is gorgeous with scarlet,
blue, and yellow figures cnt ont with knlic
from velvet, silk, and danask. The Anna
IONS sew the pieces together so Us to form
enblema,ic devices. The bird is indicative
of ROYALTY. None but the Princes OF Da-
honey are allowed 20 adopt it. The top OF
tie umbrella is surmounted by wooden
anti a M q
his hand.
l'Thc Amazons are seated round the King.
Between tlcm and the people number OF
bamboo rods are placed in a line upon the
ground, ANY man who crosses one CT these
rods suffers immediate death. Soldiers bring
in the vlctinis-slaveS taken in war, and gene
rally old men. They are gagged by means
of stick With grass rope wrapped around
il. which fills up the whole mouth, anu l.
tied at the back Of the head. Their hand,
are bound together, and they are firmly
bound to baskets, which are carried on the
soldiers heads. Their bodies are entirely
naked. save single cloth around the
loins, Conica hats ure kept on their
heads until Just before decIpilatlon. Inc
Prime Minister lies prostitute, and re-
ceiyes in that position message rom
the King TO the victims. This mes
sage is to he carried to the father Of the pre-
sent King. who died about nine years ago.
For their subsistence on the way lie gives
them each bottle of rum and head
of cowricS. The men are then taken 10 Il
platform twenty feet high in an adjacent
oo,irt-yard: there they are cast headlohe,
Still bound to the baskets. rhe eNetntiohers
then cut of their heads aud exhibit them 10
the people after which they are placed on
wooden affairs TO ornament the palace gaze.
,rbree DAYS aftcrward the heads are
taken within the palace, where thct
are cleaned by the AlnaZons. anu
arr then used for State drnkln3'cups,
ornaments for drums, tlaS-statIS, ana othel
u1rposes. The bodies of the victims are
dragged by the crowd through the market
place. and arc finally thrown into dltcu
outsiuc Abomey, where the hyehaS soo'l
make short work of them. THOUSANDS o'
skeletons are in this ditch, but rnota >i'iSl,
skull. The men appear To have 10 l'at VI
death. Mr.. Skctchy states that lie mas IRE
uueptIy looked iuto Il mans face just Ill Tue
moment when he was about to have Ills neao
cut of. and not a muscle seemed 10 inaical'
either emotion or fear.
The present King is more merclItll tilai
his pred, ceSSOrS were. tie Is eIi''e"'o' i u,
tu reduce the fearful sacrifices OF human liI'
eutafled upon him on his accession 10 Tut
throne by the customs: of; the country.
He generously spares the lives Of han tn'
number. Of victims intended for sacrifice. n,
women are ever killed for sacrifice, ahf.houg'
thew. like the men. aIe brought out on th'
heads of the Anxious TO BIG carried aroun'
ahe courtyard. ,a...., q ~ r.. u; 49,.