Descriptions

This large drum was brought into battle when Dahomey (now Republic of Benin) tried for a second time to overpower Abeokuta in 1864. They were defeated. British soldiers were involved in the battle and one of them took this drum and wrote across it, ‘DAHOMEAN WAR DRUM. Taken in the fight before ABBEOKUTA, W AFRICA when the town was besieged by the Amazonian Army of the King of Dahome. 1864.’

The siege was over in a day, on 15th March 1864. This drum was acquired by the Reverend Henry Townsend at the time of the siege.

Townsend worked for the Church Missionary Society and travelled with Africans who had escaped from slavery to provide protection. Read more about Townsend: https://rammuseum.org.uk/collections/collectors/henry-townsend/

Inscription

DAHOMEAN WAR DRUM. Taken in the Fight before Abbeokuta, W. Africa When the town was besieged by the Amazonian Army of the King of Dahome.



This object is not on display.