The trade of Dahomey is chiefly in palm-oil. Ivory is seldom brought to the coast, except when smuggled, owing to the heavy duty imposed upon it. The manufactures are limited, cloth being the only article; but they excel in that article. The kingdom of Dahomey is chiefly level; the soil rich red loam; and, except in the immediate vicinity of the capital, tolerably well watered. Gold is as abundant there as in the Ashantee country, but, owing to the slave-trade, it is seldom inquired after.
The kingdom of Dahomey originally extended no farther in a northern direction than the river Zoa, or Lagos, between the seventh and eighth degrees of north latitude. In marching in a north-easterly direction from Abomey, the first of the Kong Mountains is situated in latitude 8° 20ʹ north, and extends in the same direction as far as 9° 30ʹ, although mountains of less magnitude are met with of the table form, at intervals, as far as 13° 6ʹ north.
The Mahee people are lighter in colour than the Dahomans, and are very active and hardy, lively in their disposition, but said to be very revengeful; although, as I was under the patronage of the King, I did not observe any thing in their characters which manifested this. The females are considerably smaller than those of Dahomey, and may be called rather good-looking, and, like the Dahomans, are very chaste; though, as in the former country, polygamy is tolerated to any extent. They are all Pagans here, as well as in Dahomey. Though many Mohamedans are to be found in the army of the latter, they are never interfered with in their religious opinions.
Formerly the government of the kingdom of Dahomey was despotic, still the country has a much more civilized appearance than the petty states under republican governments, which are generally involved in disputes and wars.
The Mahees appear to be a distinct people, independently of the difference of colour. The general formation of their head differs considerably from others. It is generally elongated from the ear backwards, and the philoprogenitive organ is very prominent. The frontal bone is seldom divided, and in many instances the upper part of the skull, as I have previously stated, is without any division whatever; but this is also the case in the Dahomans.
The chin of the Mahees is generally shorter than that of the Dahomans, or people near the coast; their lips are not so thick; their teeth are very good, and they take great pains in cleaning them, which is generally the case on the whole of the west coast, where it is a universal custom, when not otherwise employed, to brush the teeth with the end of what they term a chew-stick, generally a piece of the branch of the gwaba, about the length and thickness of a black-lead pencil. They consider that chewing this kind of wood prevents thirst. Probably, from the acid which it contains, it is superior to any other sort of tooth-brush.
On many parts of the west coast they sharpen the two front teeth in the upper jaw by filing, or grinding off the angles, so as to bring them to a narrow point. The Mahee and Fellattah skulls I found lighter and thinner than the Annagoos, or Dahomans, or those on the coast, many of the latter being as thick as half an inch in the hinder part of the skull, and of a spongy or porous nature. The nose of the Mahees does not partake in the slightest degree of the negro, but strongly resembles that of Europeans. They excel in their manufactures, which are composed of cloth, and knitted night-caps, made exactly on the same principle as in England. They are also clever in the manufacture of iron, and are well acquainted with native dyes.
The natives, both of Dahomey and Mahee, are very temperate. They are excellent cooks. Their dishes are generally soups, containing various vegetables, amongst which is a gelatine pod of an oblong form, called occro. This is considered very strengthening. I believe it might be cultivated in Great Britain. It grows on a plant very much resembling the stramonium. Their fermented drink is peto, a native beer, which I have already described. They attain a greater age than in flat, low countries; and are very industrious in comparison with many neighbouring countries. The King of Dahomey enforces cultivation over all his dominions.
The general composition of the Kong Mountains, occupied by the Mahees, is granite, limestone, marble, and iron-stone. On the plains or valleys I found, protruding above the surface, large masses of fused iron mixed with round pebbles. Several fragments I broke off, which were nearly as heavy as the pure ore. The outside of these masses had a glazed appearance. From the north to the south side this chain of mountains does not exceed forty-five or fifty miles. The principal animals occupying the Kong Mountains I have already noticed.
The Fellattahs are a different race to either the Dahomans or Mahees. They are a more warlike people than the Mahees; are light and active in their movements, very courageous, but also revengeful and stubborn, though I have been informed, that in a body they cannot fight a losing battle. They are much intermixed with other tribes, and hold great sway, occupying a very extensive territory, supposed to extend from eight degrees west longitude to Bornou, and also a considerable distance north and south. The real Fellattahs are much darker than the Mahees, with high square frontal bone and well-proportioned head, in general; hair, thick and woolly. They are more civilized and ingenious than the Mahees or Dahomans, and are also good farmers.