3-053-394 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Victims of the Mem-Hoo-Who, Dahomey, 1873. 'The kingdom of Dahomey...has usually been regarded as one of the most bloodthirsty...Some accounts, however, seem to have been much exaggerated...Mr. J. A. Sketchly has just returned from Dahomey, where for six months he was the guest of the King, and an eyewitness to the grand annual "custom," when the principal human sacrifices take place. Mr. Sketchly is the only white man that has been admitted into the private apartments of his Majesty, by whom he was very hospitably treated...the King...[is] reclining on a wicker-work lounge...The Amazons are seated around [him]...The four conspicuous figures are soldiers bearing on their heads the victims for the next sacrifice, called the Men-hoo-who. These are slaves taken in war...They are gagged by means of a stick with grass rope wrapped round it...Their hands are fastened together, and they are firmly bound to baskets...The conical hats which they wear are removed just before decapitation...The kneeling figure is Ningar, the Prime Minister, who...tells the four victims that they are to carry the message which he delivers to them to the late King, the present King's father...The executioners then cut off their heads and exhibit them to the people'. From "Illustrated London News", 1873.