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Scenes from western Africa, 1820
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Scenes from western Africa, 1820
Snakes hunting fowl in a west African village 25, Mumbo Jumbo ritual at night in a village 26 and view of Freetown founded in 1792 in Sierra Leone 26. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from Rev. Isaac Taylors Scenes in Africa for the Amusement and Instruction of Little Tarry-at-Home Travelers, Harris and Son, London, 1820
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This handcoloured copperplate engraving, titled "Scenes in Africa for the Amusement and Instruction of Little Tarry-at-Home Travelers," offers a fascinating glimpse into western African life in the early 19th century as depicted in Rev. Isaac Taylor's publication. The first scene showcases the intriguing practice of snakes hunting fowl in a West African village. Villagers can be seen gathering around a pit, some holding sticks and others encouraging the snakes to enter the pit where fowl have been lured with grain. The snakes, attracted by the scent, slip into the pit and seize the unsuspecting chickens. This hunting method, though unusual to European audiences, was a common practice in some West African communities. The second scene illustrates a Mumbo Jumbo ritual taking place at night in a village. Mumbo Jumbo was a complex and diverse religious system practiced by various ethnic groups in West Africa. The ritual depicted here involves the use of masks, drums, and dancing to invoke the spirits and ensure the prosperity and protection of the community. The villagers, dressed in colourful costumes, appear to be in a trance-like state, fully immersed in the spiritual experience. The third scene showcases the picturesque view of Freetown, founded in 1792 in Sierra Leone. The bustling port city, nestled along the Atlantic coast, was a significant centre for the resettlement of formerly enslaved Africans, known as the Maroons, and a hub for the British colonial presence in West Africa. The image reveals the diverse population of the city, with European, African, and mixed-race residents living in harmony, and the thriving trade and commerce that characterized the region during this period.
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