THE GOLD COAST, ASHANTT, AND KmfASSl 



THE KING OF ELMINA AND HIS COURT 



From a photograph by Skties, Cape Coast Castle 



banks of the Nile. So is it with the Fantis ; constant sacrifices 

 must be made to appease the departed and to remind them that 

 they are not forgotten ; and it is part of the Fanti behef tliat 

 unless the custom is religiousl_y observed the shade will wander 

 on the banks of the Sacred Prah for the space of a hundred years 

 before it has performed sufficient penace for its friends' neglect. 

 Abonsam and Sasabonsam are the two great deities conjured up 

 by the Fantis. The former controls the wicked in the land of 

 shades, while the latter has his domicile on earth. Death is a 

 matter of much moment, and extravagant ''customs" are held 

 and heavy expenses incurred by the deceased's relatives in order 

 to satisfy the demands of the shade, these orgies frequently being 

 repeated at intervals in order to "lay the ghost" in case it be- 

 comes restive. The rumbling of thunder is supposed to be the 

 voice of the dead demanding propitiation and sacrifice, and 

 lightning as the direct infliction of the evil spirit on the person 

 or object struck. Mourning is evidenced by shaving the liead 

 for a certain period, and this is accomplished h}' l)its of jagged 

 stone or broken bottles. 



There was a time when the Fantis were the most powerful 

 tril)e of the Gold coast, but during the last century they have 



