298 William F. Daniell, Esq., on the Ethnography of 



Females during the term of their gestation are accustomed to 

 resort to some popular fetish-house, for the purpose of bathing in 

 the consecrated waters vended by the priests, that by so doing, they 

 may be enabled to crave for their unborn babes the guardianship of 

 its unearthly divinity, and also to guarantee their safe delivery from 

 the perils and disasters of parturition. After the happy fulfilment 

 of this event, the parents, in grateful thanksgiving for the boon, 

 bestow upon the infant a modified variation of that title by which 

 the fetish has been generally denominated. From this source pro- 

 ceeds the third class or sacred appellations, a class to be found more 

 or less prevalent throughout the kingdoms and districts where super- 

 stition and mystery hold their reign. 



By the male populations of Akkrah and Adampe circumcision is 

 constantly followed, but not at such an early age as by the Moham- 

 medan nations more inland, the consummation being deferred until 

 the boy has attained to the maturer growth of eight or ten years. 

 This operation, comprehended under the native definition of Koteah, 

 is invariably performed by the country doctors, or rather exclusive 

 practitioners of this surgical acquirement, who gather together in 

 their houses as many tyros as is possible, the whole of whom, with- 

 in a brief space of time, bear convincing proofs of their operative 

 skill and dexterity. The season of the year deemed most propitious 

 for the completion of these rites, is from the middle of December to 

 the termination of January, when the dry Harmattan winds which 

 then set in exert an almost specific influence towards the promotion 

 of their successful cure. The process is very simple, the prepuce 

 previous to its division being encircled by a ligature that protects 

 the subjacent structures. The wound is afterwards dressed with 

 raw cotton steeped in oil, and defended anteriorly by a grass or 

 wicker-mat suspended by a cord round the neck of the invalid. With 

 this shield also supported by both hands, they may be observed per- 

 ambulating the streets with a timidity and awkwardness of gait that 

 affords a marked contrast to their noisy yet cheerful vociferations. 

 The doctor's fees, like the condition of his patients, is oftentimes 

 humble, and rarely exceeds more than half-a-dozen strings of 

 cowries. 



Circumcision is one of the most prominent traits which estabHsh 

 the line of demarcation between the different tribes of the Gold Coast, 

 distinoruishinor the blended races which, to the eastward, inhabit the 

 long tract of shore equidistant on both sides of the river Volta, 

 from the numerous nations that more exclusively trace their origin 

 from the great Inta source, more inland and westerly. Neither 

 the Ashantes, Akims, Fantes, Assins, Aquapims, Aquambus, nor 

 many of the Kroo communities, still further westward, conform 

 to the principle of its primitive induction, although isolated in- 

 stances of its adoption have occasionally been recorded amongst 

 them. The late Dr Pritchard has been led into an error when he 

 remarks that it pertains utriusque sexus in Akkrah. During the 



