The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1873-09-24

neEts Of the King. There is no town Of
pahomy. The capital is merely oneof the
rpyal palaces with official residencestfor the
high officers and the servants; while the
Amazons reside within the palace in long,
barn-like buildings Immediately outside
aud surrounding the Kmg's private apart
pents. At each Of bis nine palaces there
ire 1000 of these Amasons.
Before Sketchly was admitted to the
palace he went through cereinonials lasting
eree days, during whichhe was created .
'fraoe Of the royal blood, a duke, and a
general Of the army, but not Of the ANA
aons. lie was then permitted to sec the
various customs. lie was an eyewitness
10 the grand annual ceremonial when the
principal human sacrifices take place.
For the sacrifices called the Men, hoo
wo, the king reclines on a wickerwork
lounge in bis palace. He wears only q
blue cotton robe. as be considers his ligni-
y 80 great that he can afford to dr. in
ordinary clothing. Neither the king nor
the members Of the royal family ever. dress
in CANDY attire.
Above tho king'o head an umbrella is
extended, and this is gorgeous with scarlet,
blue and yellow figures, cut on with o
knife from velvet. silk and damask. The
Amazons sew the pieces together, 50 as to
form cm5lematlc devices. The bird is in
dicatiye Of royolty. None but the princes
If Dahomey are allowed TO adopt il. The
top Of the umbrella Is surmounted by a
wooden ornament, representing "a man
with bird in bis hand.
!. The Anlazons are seated around the king.
Between them and the people number
.of bamboo rods are placed in a line upon
the ground. Any man who crosses one Of
these rods suffers immediate death. Sol
d;ers bring in the yictims--slayes taken in
war. and generally old men. They are
gagged BY means Of a-sisaiIIsap the whole
ilu-asu. and tied at the back Of the head.
Theirt hands are fastened together, and
they ire firmly bound to baskets which are
carried on.tho soldiers head. Their bod
les ara entirely naked, save single cloth
around the loins. Conical hatsarc kept
On their heads until just. before decapita-
lion. The prime minister lies PROSTATE
ind receives in that position message
from the king 10 the victims. This mes
Age is to be carried 70 the father Of the
present king, who died about nine years
go. For their subsistence OF tie way be !
yiyes them each a bottle Of rum and beads |
Il fcowries. The men are then taken to
platform twenty feet high in an adjacent
'odrt yard; there they are cast head long
4 III bonnd to the baskets. The execution
u then cut Of their heads and exhib-
them to the peoples after which they
W placed on wood en- altarsto ornament
be palace gate. Three days afterwards
ho heads are taken within the palace.
share they are cleaned by the AinazoDs,
nd then used for State drinking cups. or
Ianienls for drums. fugstaifs. and other
,urtsses. The bodies Of the victims arc
ragged BY the crowd through the market
,lasb. and are fnally thrown into ditch
utsle Dahomey, where The hyenas soon
nak short work Of them. Thousand. Of
kclgtons are in this ditch. but not skull.
he hen appear TO have no fear Of death
ir. ketchly states that hc has frequently
Oot tisfinto mans face just at The moment
TheYlio was about to have his head cut Of,
nd ibt muscle seemed TO indicate either
notioh or fear.
The present king ismorc merciful than
is predecessors werN. lie is endosvoFing
. rcdtce the fearful sacrifice ofhuman life
ntailed upon him on his accession to the
hrone By the custom Of the country.
lie generally spares the lives Of half the
lumber Of victims intended for sacrifice.
70 w0uen are ever killed for sacrifice, al
hough they like .ho men are brought out
n tho heads Of the Amazons, 10 be carried
round he court yard.