Travels in Western Africa in 1845 & 1846, Volume 2 (of 2): comprising a journey from Whydah through the Kingdom of Dahomey to Adofoodia in the interiorDuncan, John
History
Travels in Western Africa in 1845 & 1846, Volume 2 (of 2): comprising a journey from Whydah through the Kingdom of Dahomey to Adofoodia in the interior
Duncan, John
Africa, West -- Description and travel; Benin -- Description and travel
We then advanced to the town, where we formed up in the market-place.
Here each party alternately kept up what they called dancing, and
drinking rum and peto for about an hour. Their motion in dancing is
unlike that of any other country with which I am acquainted. They never
use their legs, except when making some extraordinary leap to change
their front in another direction, their principal motion being in the
hips and shoulders, which are thrown backwards and forwards in rapid
motion; sometimes their movements are, to any civilized being, of a
very disgusting nature.
During this ceremony the market-place was crowded with spectators, who
seemed quite delighted with the performance. Each caboceer invariably
keeps a clown, who is selected according to his powers of humour,
many of them displaying considerable talent. At last a messenger came
to signify to Chaou that dinner was prepared for us, when we retired
to our houses, where we found not only an extravagant quantity of
provision, supplied by the caboceer, but also by the same merchants
who had already been so liberal. We were also supplied with a large
quantity of peto.
After dinner I took a survey of the town, which for regularity and
neatness surpassed most of those I had yet visited in the Mahee
country. It is strongly fenced, has an inner wall, and a large outer
and inner market, well supplied with native produce and manufactures.
Rats, mice, and the guano are also sold in greater abundance for
consumption than in any other place I had seen. This was the first town
in which I observed any regularity or form of manufactory.
In the principal square, which was entirely occupied by the caboceer
and retinue, nearly one side was occupied by corn-mills, where a number
of very handsome young female slaves were employed grinding corn. About
two yards distant, behind where the grinders were employed, was a line
of fires, parallel to the line of mills; each fire was attended by a
cook and an assistant. The whole was covered in with a roof neatly
thatched. The side of the building facing the square was open like a
shed.
During the greater part of the afternoon I was beset with visitors,
bringing some trifling articles as presents, amongst whom were many
fetish-women, who brought me some eggs. These women are licensed
beggars, sanctioned by royalty, and possess great influence amongst the
people. They attend all public markets, and are entirely supported by
contributions, which are liberally bestowed from a dread of offending
them. The old caboceer, Chaou, paid me a visit, and earnestly inquired
if I could prescribe any medicine for a severe cough which much
annoyed him. He said that some of my soldiers told him I could cure
all diseases. I gave him a few colocinth and calomel pills, knowing
that he would not feel satisfied without something in the shape of
medicine,--in return for which he gave me a young bull.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account