The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-06-23
WONDERFUL DAHOMEY.
Land of AmRzOns, Human Sacrifices,
Mermnids and Tame Whales.

From the York World.
An interesting book on Dahomey is
written and published by Henry Marcel.
which name is the pseudonym of a well
known French resident of Philadelphia.
Dahomey was until recently the most
important negro monarchy in Africa 1t
was especially famous FOR two things
its corps of Amazon warriors and its
human sacrifices. Both these institutions
are at an end since 1he French conquest
of Dahomey.
The Amazons were the only instance in
the modern world of a body of female
warriors. They formed the body guard of
the king and were as remarkable for
their fidelity as for their courage.
Every Dahomeyan was bound to pre-
sent his daughter to a sort of a medical
board, which selected those suitable for
the kings service. Little girls taken in
war were also trained to be Amazons.
The Amazons were ordinarily compelled
to remain celibate all their lives, but
the king occasionally permitted one to
marry a deserving male soldier. They
were always very well formed, and some
of them were handsome, in figure at least
The number of them was about 1000. and
they formed only a small part of the
army. In addition to being brave on the
battle field 1t is said that they
were more cruel than the men soldiers
and very hard drinkers. Woman suffra-
gists should find much food for thought
and possibly encouragement in these
facts.
The human sacrifices were first insti-
tuted in 1000. They were based on relig-
ious beliefs. Man is believed to be SUBJ
tect to the same wants IN the next world
as in this; so he must be buried not only
with food and weapons but provided with
wives and servants IL he is an important
person.
The burial of a king was always at
tended with an immense slaughter. When
King Gulzo died more than 800 human lives
were sacrificed including chiefs, must
clans and slaves. He was buried in a big
cave His wives seated themselves around
him in the order of their rank and pois-
oned themselves. Basketfuls OF heaCs
and calabashes full of blood were piled on
his tomb.
Wholesale sacrifices were also held al
fixed periods. A traveller describing them
says that during the night of these sac
rihces everybody found in the street was
dubbed to death. Companies of musici-
ans walked about playing painful music.
At midnight a volley Of musketry an
nounced the beginning of the executions.
The victims were brought into the square
by thirties Sometimes death was pro-
duced by filling up the breathing aper-
lures. Some Of the dead bodies were ar
ranged in life-like attitudes.
The Dahomeyan coast is favored with
some remarkable creatures. Among them
is the manatee, or sea COW, an animal OF
the seal family, which has some resen-
blance to a human being. The female has
very prominent breasts when nurgIng her
young. 1t is suggested that this animal
is responsible for the legends of mermaids
and sirens.
Whales are common, and as they are
not hunted, they are very bold, and roll
themselves up high and dry on the beach
In order to rub themselves free OF weeds
and parasites. This, Mr.. Marcel says,
is very strange spectacle.