Abomey
dahomey
ABOMEY, the capital of Dahomey, in West Africa, is-, situated in N. lat. 7°, E. long. 2° 4', about GO miles N. of Whydah, the port of the kingdom. It is a clay-built town, surrounded by a moat and mud walls, and occupies a large area, part of which is cultivated. The houses stand apart; there are no regular streets; and the place is very dirty. It has four larger market-places, and trade is carried on in palm-oil, ivory, and gold, Mohammedan traders from the interior resorting to its markets. The town contains the principal palace of the king of Dahomey. It is the scene of frequent human sacrifices, a"custom" being held annually, at which many criminals and captives are slain; while on the death of a king a " grand custom" is held, at which sometimes as many as 2000 victims have perished. The slave-trade is also prosecuted, and the efforts of the British Government to induce the king to abolish it and the " customs" have proved unsuccessful. Population, about 30,000. See DAHOMEY.

User Comments