Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-02-06
AFRICAN LAKE JEWELLERS.
Blacks who Rear Their Huts on Piles In
the Denham Waters.

Blacks who Rear Their Huts on Piles In
the Denham Waters.
Much attention was recently called to
the region around Kotonou, on the Gulf
OF Guinea, near which place several
hundred Of the women warriors of the
King OF Dahomey were killed in battle
by the French troops. One Of the most
interesting features of this region is the
large native villages and towns that have
been built in the water. The inhabi-
tants many years ago took this means OF
trying to escape from the terrible raids
of the King Of Dahomey. Many hun
dreds OF people were actually driven by
the powerful King into the water. 1t
happens that the Dahomians are very
superstitous about travelling in canoes
or crossing streams, and the fugitives
took advantage of this fact to secure
protection for themselves.
On any good map one may see the
"Denham waters" near Kotonou. This
is the home Of these lake jewellers. The
towns have each q population OF from
200 to 300 souls to as many thousands.
Physically the people are fine and
healthy specimens of Africans, and as
rule they are free from disease. Gov
ernor Moloney, of Lagos, says the houses
are built upon piles or straight branches
Of hard wood three to six inches in
diameter. They are driven into the
bottom of the lake. The upper ends
are secured by cross-pieces, on which
are laid bamboo flooring, two-thirds or
one-half of which is covered in by a
house. The uprights of the house are
fixed first and secured below the plat
form TO the supporting piles. The roof
frame Is next made on the platform, and
is covered with grass or bamboo leaves,
and raised to its position. The re-
naming portion of flooring is used as a
veranda. In the construction no nails
are used.
a pastoral people. 1t is curious fact
that they keep cattle in pens adjoining
their houses built on piles over the
water like their dwellings. Sometimes
during the dry season the shallowness
Of the water admits of the cattle being
| allowed to wander on terra firma; but
fodder is brought in canoes to many less
| fortunate animals which are compelled
to exc out their existence in these pens
surrounded by water until such time as
they are tethered and transported by
canoe to the butcher.
The present natives are still in dread
of the Dahomians, but even II this fear
no longer existed IL is probable that the
habit which they and their fathers be-
fore them have long followed would lead
them to prefer these aquatic residences.
1t is not known how many lake dwellers
there are, but it Is supposed there are at
least 10000 Of them among the various
tribes whose huts cover the Denham
waters Once in while these tribes
make war on one another, and they con.
duct their fighting in canoes, capable Of
holding two or three persons, and Their
weapons are guns, harpoons, spears and
clubs.
In some other parts of Africa, par
ticularly in the Congo basin. the habit
OF dwelling in huts sustained on piles
in lakes or rivers is very largely follow
ed, and perhaps million or two Of the
people Of Africa are still perpetuatina
the phase of life OF which we have relic,
in the remains of the lake dwellers o.
the prehistoric era. IN. Y. Sun.