Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-12-11

A Peculiar Ceremony on the West Coast
liking Archtbong III. Of Old Gala.

par."
A correspondent on the West Coas
gives description of the recent crown
ing of King Archibong of Old Calabar
The event. had been looked forward to fol
some time, and during the. week of tht
coronation the, town and district wert
en- tete. Both on the rivefsand in the
villages there was q great display oi
bunting while guns were fired almost in.
cessantly. MI. David Hopkins the Eng.
lish consul, who had been at old Gala.
bar for some little time settling disputes
fbetween traders and chiefs, was selected
To proclaim Adam Archibong King. On
the morning of the 9th ult. Consul Hop
kins was escorted to Duke Town, with
the chiefs and people of Henshaw Town
rs guard of honor. The procession
formed spectacle of an unusual kind.
The men were attired in the gaudiest-
colored prints it was possible to collect,
while an umbrella of extraordinary di-
mensions and colors was carried above
the head of the consul. The cavalcade
arrived at the enclosure adjoining the
palace, where throne had been placed
on newly-erected platform. The na-
tives we're here assembled in thousands,
and we're very enthusiastic. Shortly
afterward the procession of the king elect
issued from the palace, a rudely con-
structed building of wood, and wended
its way to the platform. Like the other
body, many ard various were the c0lors
worn by the men. 1t was headed by
band of musicians" making q great
uproar, with toy trumpets and tom-toma
Many military coats were conspicuous
here, as in the consul's following.
In several instances big negroes wore
front, were drawn tightly to the figure
with string. His Majesty King Archi-
bong was scarcely less comically dressed.
His loins were girt with satin cloth of
many colors, while long Sieve hat COW
cred his head. This hat had evidently
seen much service, being almost shapeless
with indentations. His feet like those
of his attendants, were bare, and there
was also huge umbrella held high above
his head. Archibong, who is man
about sixty years old, is totally blind, and
leaned on the arm of his son.
He ascended to the platform amid the
enthusiasm of the assembled crowd, who
danced and shouted in the most frantic
manner; but as soon "a Colonel Hopkins
received the king the tumult ceased.
The consul read the existing treaties be-
tween the former kings Of Old Calabar
and Queen Victoria, which were inter
preted to the king by Mr.. Campbell, an
English missionary on the coast, and to
which Archibong assented. A new
treaty was also drawn up, the king
agreeing thereto, which makes it COM
pulsory upon all his European subjects
to wear the European style of dress.
Treaty matters having been arranged, the
ceremony of coronation was proceeded
with. The queen, with her retinue of
female attendants, arrived and took her
place on the platform.
Her majesty, very corpulent old
lady, was not permitted to take her seat
by the side Of her sable consort. Amid
the continued silence of her native
throng. Consul Hopkins threw a scarlet
cloak around Archibong, put 3 crown
ON his head, and sceptre in
his hand, and proclaimed him
"King Archibong Ill, of Old Gala
bar" Then the shrieks and hurrahs of
the assembled thousands rent the air,
the men and womon dancing and shout
ing in the widest glee. The crown ap-
peared to be of gold, was very massive,
and was studded with representative
diamonds.
During the ceremony the King seemed
to be greatly agitated, and at one time
was scarcely able to hold the sceptre. I'm
mediately after the coronation salute of
twenty-one guns was fred, and the king
and his courtiers adjourned to the pal
ace, where banquet in the native fash.
ion was prepared. The English residents
we're especially favored by the king, and
among those present at the dinner were
Consul Hopkins, the whole of the Eng
lish missionaries of the district, and the
captain, chief engineer, doctor, and
purser of the mail steamer Kinsembo.
The principal dish consisted of "palm
oil chop" which is considered q great
luxury by the natives.-London NNses.