New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-03-21
Famous Amazons Of Dahonaey.
From the Pail Mall Gazette.

From the Pail Mall Gazette.
The Germans, to whom Africa as a
field of colonization is mine Of mex
haustible novelty, have just rediscov
cred the amazons of Dahomey. These
famous warriors, Of whom so little has
been heard for so many years, have been
inspected by DR.. Zoller, who gives an
account of his reception at the court Of
the Portuguese half breed, Juliano de
Souza, who, in his semi-royal state at
Whydah, reioices in the possession of a
fully equipped battalion Of women who
fight. Alas! however, for our precon-
ceived notions, the amazons of De
Souza have more resemblance to corps
de ballet than to corps d'armee, and
the deepest impression which they left
on the mind of their visitors was that
they would make the fortune of any en-
terpr1sing impresario who would intro
duce them to European audiences.
Of Juliano de Souza himself, who
has had his son educated in an Eng
Esh boarding school, and married by a
Fresh priest, DR.. Zoller speaks in high
terms:
The tall, broad chested man, with a
dark yellow, almost brown, complexion,
received us with the amiable politeness
of a pompous aristocrat. He wore a
long, shirt-like garment reaching down
to his feet, high European boots, an
embroidered smoking cap, and-al-
though he is a Fetish worshipper-a big
black metal cross on his chest. After
apologizing for the remarkable costume
which he had been obliged to don be-
cause of indisposition, Juliano gave the
sign for the beginning Of the festivities.
The stage for these was the open space
in front of Juliano's house, rather
rickety building Of two stories in the
middle of the village, which was filed
with the upper ten of Whydah, null
titude of black spectators all of whom
pretend to be Of European descent. But
woe to him who, without being white
man, dares to wear European boots, OF
allow himself to be carried in ham
mock, the European means of convey
ance. Not even the King would ever
dream of committing so unpardonablea
breach of African etiquette
''When it was dusk the army of anna
IONS made their entrance into the yard
Enthusiastically attired, and looking more
fantastical still by the glare Of the
torches which we're borne before them.
Shortly before their dance commenced
the Chacha distributed German beer
and Bania rum among the audience,
which consisted Of some 500 spectators,
many of whom were accompanied by
their tame sheep, which follow their
masters like dogs Rum is the ordin-
airy beverage offered to visitors in Daho-
mey. The Amazons of Abome, of whom
there are at the most some 5000, are
nominally the wives Of the King, and
rs such form body guard, which is said
to be superior to the male soldiers in
courage discipline, and loyalty. But
although these amazons accompany the
King on all his wars, l think they are
more for show than for service. Among
all the savage and semi savage tribes
singing and dancing are considered as
essential as drilling and drumming
among ourselves. It is natural that
the amazons, having from their earliest
childhood been educated as warriors,
dancers, and singers, should be as supe-
rior to male soldiers in these accom-
plishments as our Guards are to the re-
serves.
"The amazons of the Chacha, all Of
whom have served in the army of Abo-
me, are women between the ages of
eighteen and twenty five; and as the
Chacha does not go to war. they are
naturally only kept for show.
They have separate barracks, but
live, like the thirty male soldiers, in
different quarters of the town, whence
they are called together whenever they
are wanted. At their first entrance,
when, marching up in a long process
sion, they saluted their lord and mas
ter, [ was astonished at the military ex-
actitude of their movements. Imag-
Inc sixty young women strong and
slender, who, without losing anything
of their womanliness, present decided
~ warlile appearance. Among Euro
peans this combination of the woman
and the warrior could not be imagined;
here it is explained by the peculiar for
nation of the negro skeleton. The
skeletons of negro women Gin striking
contrast to these of the mulattoes) are
strikingly like the skeletons of male
negroes
''The assertion is untrue that the fe-
male warriors Of Dahoney have their
breasts cut off, like the NEUROLOGICAL
amazons of the ancient Greeks. Their
picturesque uniform might furnish our
masters of the ballet with fresh ideas.
The fresh young faces look roguishly
from under the white, brimless yokey
cap, ornamented with black pictures OF
animals, such as lizards, birds, and
others. The feet are bare; short
knickerbockers of green, red, or
yellow material come down nearly
to the knees, and bright-colored
tunic of striped silk or velvet,
which leaves only the neck and the
arms free, covers the upper part of the
body, which is supported By corsets of
native manufacture. A broad belt of
many colors heightens the slim appear
of tho IL