This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917 Excerpt: ...elephant's trunk terminating in a hand which holds upright by its handle a three-pronged object. This group obviously represents a ceremony. The male whose arms are supported is doubtless the king or some high noble, as we know both from history and from many representations on the plaques that on state occasions they ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917 Excerpt: ...elephant's trunk terminating in a hand which holds upright by its handle a three-pronged object. This group obviously represents a ceremony. The male whose arms are supported is doubtless the king or some high noble, as we know both from history and from many representations on the plaques that on state occasions they appeared thus supported. I owe to Mr. S. J. Guernsey the suggestion that the square aperture in the pedestal immediately in front of the king represents a sacrificial pit. Native traditions of Benin give us the following account of the sacrifices made on the anniversary of the death of Adolo, the father of the king Overami: "For this the great sacrifice of the year, 12 men were taken, 12 cows, 12 goats, 12 sheep, and 12 fowls. The offerings were brought into the big compound, and put in line in front of and facing the altar. Then Overami, dressed in very fine clothes, came in, and calling Adolo his father very loudly by name, said like this: 'Oh, Adolo our father, look out after all Ado! Don't let any sickness come to us. Look after me and my people, our slaves, cows, goats, and fowls, and everything in the farms.' Then the men who were in front were led to the well at the back of the compound, with gags tied in their mouths, and held each by four strong men. The executioners cut off their heads, which, with the bodies, were thrown into the pit. The animals were killed near the altar, and the blood from them was sprinkled on the big ivories and brass work. The beef was then distributed among the people"; Read and Dalton, op. cit., p. 6 sq. It seems probable that this group represents the king and his female attendants standing behind the sacrificial pit, witnessing the decapitation of human victims whose heads and bodies are thrown i...
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Add this copy of Varia Africana, Volume 1 to cart. $68.09, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Nabu Press.
