MEN OF THE TREES 



at once there was a general rejoicing, and while the 

 younger members of the crowd indulged in games and 

 various antics, their elders jostled each other in their 

 eagerness to give their greetings to the Oba. 



It was a pictureque sight to watch these young athletes 

 trained from their youth for this brief annual ceremony 

 — their white robes decorated with many reflectors 

 which threw back flashes of light from the setting sun as 

 they swung on the ropes and scattered the lucky leaves 

 on the assembled populace. The spirit of the moment was 

 infectious and as the Oba rose from his temporary throne 

 to return to his Palace, a glad procession was formed, 

 which followed at a distance until he had re-entered the 

 Palace walls. 



To his loyal subjects the Oba is as God — the arbiter 

 of their fate and destiny, and the Amofi ceremony com- 

 memorating the salvation of a past Oba by means of 

 a forest tree is indelibly recorded on the minds of the 

 Benins as they annually witness this spectacular signifi- 

 cant performance. 



200 



