The Amazon’s' Oath of Fidelity - Abeahkeutah
Some women belonging to the Souza family in military costume joined them.
* The Abeahkeutans destroyed an amazon regiment in 1848.
Some women belonging to the Souza family in military costume joined them.
* The Abeahkeutans destroyed an amazon regiment in 1848.
Source: Dahomey and the Dahomans; being the journals of two missions to the King of Dahomey, and residence at his capital, in the year 1849 and 1850 by Frederick E. Forbes.
An amazon of this regiment then commenced the usual addresses thus: “ The king is like a hen, spreading out her wings to protect her young from the rain. We are under the king's protection: if we do not fight, let us die.”
(The king having drank health with me, handed a tumbler of liqueur to the Possoo.)
After which, another of the amazons continued the speaking in these words: “Possoo, if you head us in war, may we die! Send us to Abeahkeutah, and we will destroy it or die.”
One of the male courtiers here said: “If you do not, you will lose your name.”
On which the amazon replied: “We are newly born by the king: we have and will uphold him.”
On which the amazon replied: “We are newly born by the king: we have and will uphold him.”
And another added with emphasis: “Where the king sends us, thence comes a good report. I am the king's daughter, under his protection: he gave me to the late Da Souza: death seized him:
I now belong to Antonio: my name is gae-see; and all I want is to go to war upon Abeahkeutah.”
The colonels now advanced, and said: “These soldiers have done nothing yet ; send us against the strongest: war cannot suffice us. Where the regiment is sent I will head them.
Although a snake casts away beads, and sheds its skin, it cannot change its colour, nor can I my word. We have sworn never to touch our fetish until we go to war. Attahpahm is no more. Let the war be on Abeahkeutah.”
The usual salute and quick march concluded the ceremony of this regiment.
