Journal of Various Visits to the Kingdoms of Ashanti, Aku, and Dahomi, in Western Africa

by Freeman, Thomas Birch; Beecham, John

• ISBN13: 9781108023306
• ISBN10: 1108023304
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-12-23
• Publisher: Cambridge Univ Pr

Summary

Methodist missionary Thomas Birch Freeman (1809-1890) was one of the most successful missionaries of his day, founding churches in Nigeria and the Gold Coast. The son of an African father and English mother, he possessed great diplomatic skills in dealing with colonial administrators and native rulers, and Methodist churches spread rapidly using literate converts as lay preachers, particularly among freed and repatriated slaves. His resignation was caused by financial problems due to poor accounting. His Journal was serialised in a Methodist periodical between 1840 and 1843, published as a book in 1843, and revised the following year. His attempts to get the slave trade and the practice of human sacrifice abolished in Dahomey were frustrated, but he was much more successful in founding missions. The book is a fascinating picture of life in West Africa in the mid-nineteenth century.

Table of Contents

Introduction

First Journal

Object of the journey

Appetite for blood

Journey to Ashanti resumed

Bantama

Appendices

Second Journal

Departs from Cape Coast for Kumasi

Fomunah

Preparations for entering Kumasi

Entertainment given by the King of Ashanti to the strangers

Visit to Jabin

Conversation respecting the establishment of a school at Kumasi

Appendices

Third Journal

Introduction

Mr. Freeman departs for the interior

First religious service at Abokuta, attended by Sodaka, the King

Mr. Freeman embarks for Whydah

Mr. Freeman departs from Whydah to visit the King of Dahomi

Mr. Freeman visits Abomi, the capital of Dahomi

Appendices

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