THE HORRORS OF DAHOMEY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2077, 26 July 1890, Page 3

THE HORRORS OF DAHOMEY.

A letter from Paris, giving details of the adventures of Dr Bayol, the Governor of Kotonou, who was imprisoned by_ the King of Dahomey, appears in the Vossiscne Zeitung. Dr Bayol himself was net Illtreated, but was forced to witness the horrible executians and was closely watched night and day by the of the most important chiefs. He was forced to bs present at the execution of his secretary and his interpreter, and was a spectator of the sacrifice of, at one time, eighty-four human beings, and at another of fortytwo. The victims were bound, multilated in a horrible manner, and then, still alive, hung up by the heels. Then their bodies were opened with large round knives, and the intestines taken out, after which the corpses were thrown into a " place of skulls," where in forty-eight hours they were reduced by birds of prey to skeletons. Dr Bayol was every time compelled to view eaoh corpse, while the executioners carefully turned the heads of their victims towards him. Upon one occasion he desired to buy off some negroes whom he recognised as protigSs from Porto Novo, but the King angrily refused to allow it. Every day his dusky Majesty danced before the doctor, executing steps and jumps which would have been highly entertaining under other circumstances. At these times the King wove sandals and a sort of Grecian cap on his head, and six Amazons danced with him,

The Amazons Dr. Bayol describes as very fiends. One day ibe doctor witnessed « spectHcle which be will never forget. At a sign from the King 509 Amazons rushed upon a living ox, and tore It into pieces in a few seconds ; then each with a piece of raw flesh in her mouth, marched off singing, while five of their number held the skin and head of their victim aloft in triumph. In festal garments tbey witoes»ed from tha roofs of the neighborin? huts the human sacrifices of the next day, and laughed heartily. They always appear perfectly resigned, and go quietly to dssth wben their turn comes,