Publisher's Synopsis
""Dahomey and the Dahomans"" is a historical book that documents the experiences and observations of Frederick E. Forbes during his two missions to the Kingdom of Dahomey in West Africa. The book is divided into two volumes, with the first volume covering Forbes' travels and residence in Dahomey from 1849 to 1850. Forbes was a British naval officer and diplomat who was sent to Dahomey to negotiate a treaty with King Ghezo, the ruler of the kingdom at the time. During his time in Dahomey, Forbes kept detailed journals of his experiences, which he later compiled into this book. The book provides a comprehensive account of Dahomey's history, culture, and political structure. Forbes describes the kingdom's unique customs, such as the infamous ""Amazons"" - an all-female military unit - and the practice of human sacrifice. He also provides insight into the daily life of the Dahomans, their religion, and their economy. In addition to documenting his own experiences, Forbes also includes accounts from other European travelers who visited Dahomey before him. These accounts provide a broader perspective on the kingdom's history and culture. Overall, ""Dahomey and the Dahomans"" is a valuable historical resource for anyone interested in West African history, anthropology, or diplomacy. It offers a rare glimpse into a kingdom that was largely unknown to Europeans at the time and sheds light on the complex relationship between European powers and African kingdoms in the 19th century.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
