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 — John Shaqi
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
The Zafidah Mountains--Zoogah--Reception by the Caboceer--Bamay--Its
Market--Curiosity of the People--Population--The Davity
Mountains--Daragow--Qualifications for a Caboceer--The River Zoa,
or Lagos--Its wooded Banks--Ferry--Superstition--Water-lilies--The
Plain set on Fire to destroy the Shea-butter Tree, &c.--Valley
of Dimodicea-takoo--Kootokpway--Gbowelley Mountain--Romantic
Scenery--Hospitable Reception--The Mahees--Their total Defeat by
the Dahomans--Ascent of the Mountain--Ruins of a Town--Skeletons
of the Slain--Soil--Twisted Rock--Mineral Springs--Agbowa--Herds
of Cattle--Paweea, its healthy Situation--Palaver with the
Caboceer--Description of him--His Hospitality--The Markets--Guinea
Corn--Natives good Farmers--Cloth Manufacture--Native
Loom--Hardware--Hyæna Trap--Admiration of my Sword--Review of native
Soldiers--Population.
July 11th.--We marched from Setta at 8 A.M., the first high land
bearing from the north side of the town N. 25° E., and named the
Zafidah mountains, distant about twelve miles. These mountains form
the western extremity of a range, running as far to the eastward as
the eye can reach. The path led directly to these mountains, and the
surrounding country was of a beautiful champaign character, studded at
considerable intervals with trees of various descriptions.
About half a mile from Setta, and journeying N.E., we crossed a fine
brook with a waterfall. The bed of the brook was of granite or quartz,
in immense detached blocks, the brook running eastward. Close to this
ford is a small kroom, called Zoogah; and although we had come so
short a distance the old patriarch or caboceer had provided plenty of
provisions for myself and private servants, with water and peto. The
poor man also presented me with several fowls. He told me that the
people of his small town had made a subscription and purchased these
fowls to offer to me, but were ashamed to make so trifling a present,
although they were anxious to show their good feeling towards the
King’s white stranger. He had told them what I had said at Setta to
the old woman (for he was present on that occasion) who presented me
with the two eggs. The kindness shown towards me now formed a perfect
contrast to that which I had experienced on the coast, where the
character and disposition of the people are vile. I gave the caboceer
some needles and thimbles, with directions to distribute them amongst
his people.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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