DAHOMY. 



545 



■ahomy. mats, and also weave cloths of the palm-tree leaves, 

 v "~^ > /~~' which they sometimes dye, but more frequently wear 

 in the natural colour, which resembles that of nankeen. 

 Animals. The country abounds with deer, sheep, and goats, 



(whose flesh is said to be equal to mutton,) hogs both 

 wild and domestic ; a variety of poultry, particularly 

 the Guinea hens and Muscovy ducks ; and the lakes are 

 stored with mullets, carp, and other fish. The agouti, 

 (called by the British traders bush-cat,) a gregarious 

 animal, abounds in this part of Africa, and its flesh is 

 accounted very delicate by the natives. It is about the 

 size of a full grown hare, but rather thicker ; and when 

 divested of its skin, the body appears incased with fat. 

 Like the hare, the hinder legs are longer than the fore 

 legs, but the ears are short and rounded ; the mouth is 

 shaped like that of a rat ; and the feet are small. The 

 body is covered with stiff bristles, which it has the power 

 of erecting, but which adheres so slightly to the skin as 

 to be easily separated. They generally go in compa- 

 nies of fifteen or twenty in number, following one an- 

 other in the same path, and their bite is very severe ; 

 but the natives, by attacking the rear of the party with 

 sticks, are able to destroy two or three at a time. 

 Their flesh is very fat, and tastes greasy and strong, 

 unless when dried and smoked ; a preparation which 

 nnkes it exceedingly palatable. The markets are well 

 supplied with provisions at reasonable prices, beef ex- 

 cepted, which is scarce in the country. On the coast 

 of Whydah, a turtle of 100 pounds weight has been 

 purchased for a single flask of brandy ; and, indeed, a 

 ship's company may be furnished there with fresh pro- 

 visions at a cheaper rate, and in greater abundance, 

 than on any other part of the coast. The elephant, 

 though his flesh be coarse, is used for food by the na- 

 tives ; and dogs are fed for the same purpose, 

 niage. Their language is what the Portuguese call lingua- 

 geral, or general tongue, and is spoken, not only in 

 Dahomy proper, but also in Whydah and the other de- 

 pendant states. 

 ; ion. Their religion, like that of the neighbouring king- 

 doms, consists of such a mass of superstition as can 

 hardly be described. The objects of their devotion 

 are the sun and moon, various animals and trees, and 

 other substances. The Portuguese word fetiqo, or, 

 as the English pronounce it, fetish, signifying witch- 

 craft, has been adopted by most of the maritime na- 

 tives of Africa, as well as by the Europeans who trade 

 thither. Of their amulets, or charms, the principal is 

 a scrape or parchment, containing a sentence of the 

 Koran, which the natives purchase from the Moors who 

 visit the country, and which they hang up in their 

 apartments, and decorate with a variety of rude im- 

 ages. Among the objects of their idolatrous worship, 

 is a species of snake or serpent called Daboa. It is 

 quite harmless, and suffers itself to be handled, with- 

 out appearing irritated ; but there is another species 

 which resembles it, and is very dangerous. When 

 they meet the serpent Daboa, they put it into a basket, 

 and place it in the temple destined for it, where they 

 secretly feed it with rats, but pretend that it lives up- 

 on air. The temple is served by priestesses, support- 

 ed at the king's expence. Every year there is a festi- 

 val in honour of this serpent, at which the grandees 

 assist, and for which the king supplies the necessary 

 articles. It lasts usually seven days, during which 

 time the people abandon themselves to chinking, mu- 

 sic, and dancing. Great faith is placed in the serpent. 

 Those who labour under bodily pains, apply the ani- 

 mal to the part affected ; and pregnant women offer 

 VOL. VII. paiit n. 



prayers to it for a favourable delivery. The tygcr is Daliomy. 

 also held in veneration ; and there is a temple dedica- —■ ^\~— ' 

 ted to the Devil, or bad Daemon. Notwithstanding 

 these superstitions, the people have a confused idea of 

 a Supreme Being, all-powerful and infinite, whom they 

 endeavour to propitiate by their fetish ; but pay him 

 no other worship, as they are convinced that he is too 

 good to do them any evil. 



The government of Dahomy is the most complete Govern* 

 despotism that can be found on the face of the earth. me « t '« 

 All ranks are in the lowest degree of subordination to 

 the king ; and all acknowledge his right to dispose of 

 their persons and property at pleasure. On his en- 

 trance at the palace-gate, the highest officer of state 

 crawls on his hands and knees till he arrives in the 

 royal presence, where he prostrates himself, rubbing 

 his head in the dust, and uttering the most humiliating 

 expressions. In the same abject posture he communi- 

 cates his business, and receives the commands of his 

 sovereign. Nevertheless, he receives strangers with 

 courtesy. Ambassadors from foreign courts are per- 

 mitted to salute the sovereign according; to the mode 

 practised in their own country ; European governors 

 and masters of ships, are allowed to sit covered in his 

 presence ; and, as a peculiar mark of royal favour, he 

 has been known to shake hands with a European. The 

 reverence paid to him by his subjects, is a compound 

 of love and fear, approaching to adoration. When Mr 

 Norris asked a soldier, who was just going to battle, if 

 he was not afraid of finding the enemy too strong, " I 

 think of my king," said he, " and then I dare engage 

 five of the enemy myself. My head belongs to the 

 king, not to myself. If he pleases to send for it, I am 

 ready to resign it ; or if it is shot through in battle, it 

 makes no difference to me ; I am satisfied if I lose it 

 by the order of my king." As the king is thus master 

 of the lives, so is he also of the properties of his sub- 

 jects. When a man is accused of a crime, he is con- 

 demned to slavery or -death; his effects are then for- 

 feited to the king ; and his domestics, relations, and 

 friends, are all seized, and either put to death, or sold 

 for slaves ; yet, whatever the king does, they are per- 

 suaded is right. A more abject submission, and a 

 more despotic authority, are nowhere to be found. 



The officers of state are, first, the prime minister, officers of 

 who is called tamegah, who ranks next to the king, aids state. 

 him in the cares of government, and is the only person 

 in his dominions whose head he cannot take off at plea- 

 sure. The next in rank is styled mayhou, another 

 counsellor ; is master of ceremonies ; directs the pub- 

 lic festivals ; and has the care of all strangers. Upon 

 the king's decease, these two officers have the power of 

 setting aside the eldest son, and of nominating any of 

 the other sons of the royal family whom they deem 

 more worthy of the crown. They are also the judges 

 in all criminal cases, and are constantly with the king, 

 to inform him of every thing that passes in the king- 

 dom. The commander of the army, which amounts 

 to about 8000 men, is next in rank, and is styled 

 agaow. And the last is the master of the horse, jahou, 

 whose office is to take charge of the criminals, and see 

 that their punishments be inflicted ; to superintend the 

 agriculture of the country ; and supply the king's 

 household with provisions. 



The nation is divided into three classes ; the mer- Division 

 chants, the military, and the manufacturers. The mer- into classes, 

 chants are the first in v-artk. The military, with the 

 exception of the officers, who have a regular pay, are 

 paid only when on dutv. The soldier, in the time of 

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