About Their Nobility, and How They Make One Another Noblemen, What Kind of Ceremonies They Have for This, and So On

Book Title: Beschrijvinghe ende Historische verhael vant Gout koninckrijck von Guinea, anders de Gout-custe de Mina genaemt leggende in het deel van Africa. ... Mitsgaders oock een cort verhael van de passagie die de schepen derwaerts nemen deur de Canarische Eylanden, voorby Capo de Verde, langs de Guste van Manigette, tot aen Capo de Trespunctas, voorts vande Revieren diemen versoect int verseylen vande Gout-custe, tot aende Capo Lopo Gonsalves, ... / Pieter de Marees.

Author: Marees, Pieter de.

Image Title: About Their Nobility, and How They Make One Another Noblemen, What Kind of Ceremonies They Have for This, and So On

Description: This print presents the elements of the ceremony whereby a member of a community in the Gold Coast is elevated to the position of nobleman, as observed by the Dutch trader and explorer Pieter de Maares (1770-1856 CE). “A” is the cow which the nobleman-elect gives to the community but of which he himself must not partake; “B” is the person being made into a nobleman; “C” is the wife of the nobleman; “D”is the captain or headman who watches the game with his council; “E” represents the women, who go ahead of them; “F”are the womenfolk who beat drums and play other musical instruments; “G” are the warriors who accompany the nobleman and fence and jump with one another; “H” are the women who throw salt and white earth on the wives of the nobleman; and “I” are the spectators who come to watch the ceremony.

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